Shadow Behind the Moon
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Film description
A shocking psychodrama of three actors, made in one shot. It is 1993, fights between the government and a communist guerillas have been going on for years. Emma and Nardo, a young married couple, finds shelter in a home somewhere between the front lines. From time to time they get a visit from their friend Joel, a soldier. This night is good for playing cards, but the real game will be played on a whole different level. What is the real reason for the visits? Who is on who's side?
Step by step revealing the emotional and idealistic stakes each character fights for, Lana constructs an intelligent, surprising plot. The action is set on the night of lunar eclipse, the scenography is just a house and a small piece of nature around it. But it is enough to build a claustrophobic space with many nooks and corners: the jungle just out the door, which resonates with the sounds of distant shots, becomes a dark witness of the events, which surround the characters. It is also the space beyond law, a no man's land, where the most primary instincts come alive – arousing passion, which is hardly be subdued by political preferences. The simple, experimental form brings emotions to the front: the secrets and lies piling up between the characters become a metaphor for the relations in the internally-divided country.
The film was screened at the 9th edition of Five Flavours.
text:
Jagoda Murczyńska
Jun Robles Lana
Born in 1972, he is an award-winning playwright and a recipient of multiple Palanca Awards, the Philippines’ leading literary prizes. He received his first award at the age of 19. He has written screenplays for directors including Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Maryo J. de los Reyes, as well as numerous television series. He made his directorial debut with “Gigil” in 2006. In 2013, his film “Bwakaw” was selected as the Philippines’ submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Five Flavours has screened several of his films, including “Shadow Behind the Moon”, “Your Mother’s Son” and “Big Night”.
2006 Gigil
2008 Roxxxanne
2008 Mag-ingat ka sa... Kulam
2009 Tarot
2011 My Neighbor's Wife
2011 Kahapon, Ngayon, Bukas / Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
2012 Bwakaw
2013 Mga Kwentong Barbero / Barber's Tales
2014 So It's You
2015 Cień za księżycem / Anino sa likod ng buwan / Shadow Behind the Moon
2019 Kalel, 15
2021 Wielka noc / Big Night!
2023 I moją matkę też / Anak Ka Ng Ina Mo / Your Mother’s Son
2025 Sisa
