FILM

9 Mindanao Films Premiere at
Kontra Agos Film Festival

Nine films from Mindanao world-premiered at the Kontra Agos Film Festival at Indie Sine, Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas Center on December 5 and 6.

Adjani Arumpac's full length film "Walai" opened the festival on the 5th.

"Walai" is an exploration of spaces. It prods on the memories of four Muslim women who once lived in the infamous White House in Cotabato City. The documentary seeks narratives in "places...we tend to feel without history." It traces the past through the women's experience of what has happened inside the wrecked home—nostalgia and fear, loss and love, and birth and death.

Gutierrez Mangansakan II's full length documentary, "The Jihadist," was shown on December 6.

"The Jihadist" is an autobiographical documentary on the filmmaker's
struggle as an artist amid the backdrop of the Islamic revolution in Mindanao. His search for his rightful place in the memory of his homeland yields questions that require him to confront his identity as a Moro and come to terms with his homosexuality.

"Salam Mindanao," composed of seven short films shot in seven different sites in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), was shown from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., before Mangansakan's film.

"Tranquil Times" by Loren Lao delves on the good governance efforts of the private sector, civil society and the local government unit of Wao, Lanao del Sur working together to erase remnants of the religious and ethnic clashes of the 1970s. It explores how peace has been achieved in this multi-ethnic town, propelling the once-turbulent municipality into its present agricultural renaissance.

"George's Town" by Moises Charles Hollite takes off from George Sabandal, one of about 2,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have sought refuge in the town of Buluan, Maguindanao as a result of the "all-out war" in 2000. Refusing to go back to the place of his origin, he has created a new life for himself and his family in their ideal town.

"Sulu" by Al Jacinto is a film on young writer Arthur Sakalauran Abalos, born of a Muslim mother, who decides to visit Sulu despite the perceived strife and presence of Muslim rebels and Abu Sayyaf terrorists. In Sulu, he meets a former Muslim rebel-turned policeman who tells him about his life story and how he got separated from his family for more than a decade. He returns to Sulu to start a new life after being reunited with his family. Arthur returns to Manila after a short stay in Sulu, bringing with him memorable stories and truths about the island feared by many as a dangerous place to go.

"Biniton" by McRobert Nacario is a story depicting the process of preparation and cooking of a dish called Biniton that is particular to the community of Saniag, Ampatuan in Maguindanao. The process of cooking, in the eyes of an old woman, brings to life the hardships they experienced amidst armed conflict at the same time the process of preparation, through the experience of Amel, her grandson walks us through the current situation of their community. How amidst the hardships and diversity in culture they had all managed to bounce back and become united.

"A Step for My Dream" by Mona Labado is a narrative on seven-year-old Abdul who dreams of becoming a leader of his town in Paglat, Maguindanao. He has natural charisma and easily becomes friends with people even if he hasn't known them for long. But his grandmother reminds him of their peasant roots which is no match to the traditional ruling family. Undaunted, Abdul sees it as a challenge envisions his future.

"Angan-Angan" (Dreams) by Sheron Dayoc, is a feature on nine -year-old Satra who has been mute for as long as she could remember. But her determination to secure a good education reverberates clearly amid the strictures of her Yakan culture.

"Meskinan" by Eduardo Vasquez Jr. is a documentary on the transformation of Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan as seen through the metamorphosis of a beggar.

CURRENT

9 Mindanao Films Premiere at Kontra Agos Film Festival