Mindanao Films at Kontra-Agos Film Festival

Everyone is invited to the world premiere of nine
films from Mindanao 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” will open
the festival at 7
p.m. on December 5.

“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,”
will premiere at 9 p.m. 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),
will be 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.

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