Sinag Maynila back after hiatus with 7 full-length films, 7 docus, 10 shorts

“I’ve been to Cannes, but I like it here better,” said filmmaker and producer Benedict Mique on why he chose to premiere his latest project, “Maple Leaf Dreams,” at the 6th Sinag Maynila Film Festival, which will have its run in September.

“We should support all local film festivals, more than the films that come from abroad and enter the country. For this industry to flourish, we should convince local audiences to patronize [local]. We keep promoting our films that compete in international festivals. We don’t realize that we’re losing a large piece of the Filipino audience because of this. Let’s first work on getting back that audience,” Mique said.

“Sinag Maynila is the kind of festival that we should support. If you look at our film, it’s very commercial. This is because we want to help open the arena to local festivals that showcase different kinds of films,” the director told reporters during a recent media gathering hosted by Sinag Maynila founders, Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment and Cannes best director Brillante Ma Mendoza.

Creating discourse

After a four-year hiatus, Sinag Maynila returns this year with seven full-length feature films, seven documentaries, and 10 short films. The entries will be screened in theaters nationwide from Sept. 4 to Sept. 8.

“Maple Leaf Dreams” was inspired by the idea that the Philippines is one of the top exporters of laborers in the world. “There’s an influx of Filipinos not only in Canada, but in different parts of the country. This is just one of their stories. Many of the people we featured here are real-life overseas workers. This seems like a love story, but this is also something else. Watch it, judge it,” he said. The film features LA Santos and Kira Balinger.

According to Sheron Dayoc, producer-director of “Gospel of the Beast,” the story came from a family member in his home province in Zamboanga a few years back. “It compelled me to come up with something through cinema. I think it’s very important that we continuously speak about violence through cinema so it doesn’t end up as something that’s normalized or culturally acceptable. It’s imperative that we continue to discuss, or create discourse about violence,” Sheron said.

Bryan Wong, writer, director and lead star of the action film “Banjo,” said he was grateful that their project was picked as a Sinag Maynila entry. “We came all the way from Mindanao. We made sure to attend because we wanted to show our appreciation to everyone. We’ve long wanted to be part of the festival because we believe in Sinag Maynila’s advocacy of giving a platform to independent filmmakers.”

Exploring themes

Despite limited resources, Bryan said he pushed for the creation of “Banjo,” because he’s a big fan of action films. “We just want to show that people in Mindanao are also capable of making one. If you watch the trailer, you will notice that a real bolo was used in one of the crucial fight scenes. We did that to make the film realistic. If my stunt partner made a mistake, patay ako. Patay rin siya sa asawa ko,” Bryan quipped.

Meanwhile, “Talahib” is Alvin Yapan’s contribution to the slasher-horror genre, he said. “We just wanted to enjoy creating a film with characters chasing and killing each other,” Alvin said, laughing. “’Talahib’ shows a different kind of rice field, where sinister things can happen.” Joem Bascon, Gillian Vicencio and Dax Alejandro are its cast members.

Mindanao-based Gutierrez “Teng” Mangansakan’s “Salome” is inspired by the story of “Elias at Salome,” the 10th chapter of Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere,” but later developed into something fantastic. “I can say that many themes were explored here—religion, art and indigenous history, also queerness,” said lead actor Perry Dizon. “Members of the crew are mostly from different parts of Mindanao.” The film also features Dolly de Leon, Epy Quizon, Mary Joy Apostol and Ana Abad Santos.

“Her Locket” is by JE Tiglao, and stars producer-lead actress Rebecca Chuaunsu. “It’s is a story that happened 32 years ago when my father wrote his last will and testament,” said Rebecca. “It reflects a portion of my life. It’s a tapestry of the perspective of the director, myself as a storyteller, and the writer. It talks about gender inequality. It’s titled ‘My Locket’ because it’s me in the film wanting to remember my past. Meanwhile, my character’s caregiver, played by Elora Españo, wants to forget her past. Together, the two retell stories and share photos and memories in a locket.”

“What You Did,” starring Tony Labrusca, is set during the pandemic lockdowns. “when a lot of people experienced some sort of mental breakdown,” said director Joan Lopez. “I wanted to have an in-depth look at how mental health deteriorates for some people who are going through conflict and how sometimes we turn to social media for survival, for attention—sometimes, to our own fame or to our own destruction.”

Docus, shorts

The following are part of the documentary section: Chuck Escasa’s “Ghost of Kalantiaw,” Ranniel Semana’s “Ino,” Ein Gil Randall S. Camunas “Natatanging Palayok” (The Exceptional Pot), Jenina Denise A. Domingo’s “Pag-Ibig ang Mananaig,” Allan Lazaro’s “Panatag,” Matthew Victor Pastor’s “Untitled/Unfinished,” and Paul Factora’s “Way of the Balisong.”

In the short film category, the lineup includes: Nars Santos’ “14 Days,” Franky Arrocena’s “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos,” Gayle Oblea’s “As the Moth Flies,” Kyd Torato’s “Bisan Abo Wala Bilin” (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains), Jericho Jeriel’s “Kiyaw,” Serafin Emmanuel P. Catangay’s “ILO,” Mery Grace Rama-Mission’s “Managuete” (The Coconut Sap Collector), Melver Ritz Gomez’s “Ina Bulan,” Elvert Banares’ “Sa Paglupad Ka Banong” (The Flight of Banog), and Jude Matanguihan’s “Suka & Toyo Can Make Adobo” (Vinegar and Soy Sauce Can Make Adobo).