Filipino Films To Watch At The 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival
October is Filipino American History Month and celebrating Filipino culture can be done through numerous ways including indulging in films that champion Filipinos.
At the 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF43), six Filipino films are showcased at the film festival scheduled for October 12 to 22 on Oahu and October 26 to November 5 on neighboring islands.
From full-length films, short films to documentaries, HIFF43’s library of Filipino films will surely entice every kind of filmgoer to deep dive into the Filipino stories written, produced, filmed and performed by fellow Filipinos.
Here are the six Filipino productions to watch at HIFF43.
Every Day After / Araw Araw Pagkatapos
hiff.org/events/everydayafter/
In this documentary, the older sister of a neglected little brother faces her own fears to ensure her brother may heal and live the everyday joys and struggles of growing up.
Where Is The Lie?
hiff.org/events/whereisthelie/
This black comedy film follows Janzen failed dates with Theo who was led by catfish and sociopathic mastermind Beanie, a successful female commercials director who cyberbullies the LGBTQOA+ community for her own “shits and giggles.”
ASOG
hiff.org/events/asog/
This on-the-road film follows Jaya, a non-binary teacher and comedian who survived the Super Typhoon Haiyan. She plans to travel across the Philippines in hopes of winning a beauty pageant and its prize money. In a chance encounter with a student named Arnel who is searching for his family, they both travel together which complicates their individual plans.
Kunyari
hiff.org/events/kunyari/
As the film Tagalog title’s translates to pretend in English, this appropriately describes the main characters as they pretend to be together at a Filipino party in an act to please the expectations of their families.
How To Grow Apart?
hiff.org/events/howtogrowapart/
Two Filipino American best friends navigate their fading friendship when one of the girls gets into a college across the country while the other struggles to maintain their friendship amid the constant criticism of her Filipino mother.
Hito
hiff.org/events/hito/
In this short film, a 14-year-old girl discovers that the fish that was supposed to be for dinner is a rehabilitated bioweapon named Kiefer.
These six Filipino films are currently airing at different theaters in the State and are also available for online viewing. To purchase tickets, visit HIFF.org.
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