Independencia

At the beginning of American rule in the Philippines, a mother and her son run off to the mountains to live in peace and isolation. One day the son finds a pregnant woman in the woods and brings her home. His mother disapproves and distances herself from them, eventually growing old and passing on. In the meantime, the son develops a relationship with the pregnant woman, who gives birth to a baby boy.

Years later, the boy believes to have seen a sign of the Saviour. Father and son set out to the woods to find an amulet that would save their lives. As the monsoon rains threaten the landscape, the entire family faces their individual battles for survival; the father's growing blindness, the mother's loneliness, and the son's curiousity of the world beyond the mountains.

As the harsh weather claims both parents' lives, and the American troops discover him, the boy is forced to face his true identity.

 

Cast and Crew
director	Raya Martin
photography	Jeanne Lapoirie
production	Cinematográfica Philippines Atopic France Razor Film Germany Volya Films Netherlands
co-production	Arte Cinema France
length	78'
genre	feature film
year	2009

Sales and Distribution
sales agent	Memento

Funding

Philippine National Commission on Culture and Arts Global Film Initiative CNC Fonds Sud Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam Prince Claus Fund World Cinema Fund

festivals

Premiered at Cannes Film Festival “Un certain regard” 2009 International Film Festival Rotterdam 2010 Toronto International Film Festival 2009 Split Film Festival 2010 New York Film Festival 2009 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 2010