In a schizophrenic’s world where imagination and reality are hard to define, Ed and Irene are
about to discover the true meaning of love.
Synopsis:
The film opens with Ed saying goodbye to his family. He’s going abroad to work as a caregiver. He will take the place of Irene, his wife. He leaves his seven-year old son, Brian, under the care of his mother, Flor, and younger brother, Carlo, who live with Irene and Brian.
The film explores the varying degrees, forms and issues of surveillance which are at the heart of the relationship and conflict of a schizophrenia patient and caregiver especially during the treatment phase. Irene will first experience an episode after the local neighborhood association encourages everyone’s vigilance when a household was burglarized at night. She will feel vulnerable without having Ed by her side. She imagines their house being monitored by the military, especially at night. She will see cars parked outside the street near their house. She will see shadows of undercover operatives lurking about.
Irene experienced his mom caring for rebels and leftists being pursued by the military during martial law. Irene’s schizophrenia will resurrect her experiences during martial law in bits and pieces. It will color her psychotic breaks. Upon realizing the extent of his wife’s condition, Ed realizes that he has to go back home. But Irene does not appreciate Ed trying to police her every move. She does not appreciate the imposition of routine due to her treatment. She associates her treatment with military surveillance during the martial law period.
At first, the pill became Irene’s method of medication. But since she can easily get away with not drinking the pill, her psychiatrist had to administer her treatment through injections. Irene consented when she imperiled her son, Brian’s life. The film ends with Ed and Irene joining a support group professing their love for each other.
Cast & Crew:
Irene
Ed
Carlo
Brian
Flor
Francis
Ed’s Father
Irene’s Mom
Agot Isidro
TJ Trinidad
Carlo Cruz
Carl Alexander Acosta
Upeng Galang Fernandez
Jay Gonzaga
Ku Aquino
Sheng Belmonte
Writer & Director
Director of Photography
Lighting Director
Assistant Directors
Editor
Production Designer
Art Directors
Stylist
Sound
Music
Producer
Associate Producer
Line Producer
Production Manager
Alvin B. Yapan
Dexter Dela Peña
Jan Tristan Pandy
Mara Marasigan
Andrea Tatad
Chuck Gutierrez
Whammy Alcazaren
Rita Vargas
Fran Grace Mortel
Phyllis Grande
Dennis Corteza
Andrew Milallos
Denise Santos
Alemberg Ang
Gay Domoingo
Ronald Genato
Maxie Evangelista
Country of Origin
Production Company
Language
Type of Film
Sound
Screen Ratio
Format
Philippines
Vim Yapan Alem Chua Productions
in partnership with Janssen, Pharmaceutical
Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Philippines)
Filipino with English Subtitles
Narrative, Feature Film
Stereo
16 x 9
DCP
Details: Genre: Drama Release Date: 18 December 2013 Running time: 97 minutes MTRCB Rating: PG (Graded A)
"Agot Isidro expertly maneuvers the different contours of mental instability without necessarily resorting to big 'look-at-me' acting, lending her character with a quiet dignity that elicits not only viewers' sympathy but their empathy as well. Definitely one of the year's best performances."
