Filipiñana Trailer: Sundance Winner Backed by Rafael Manuel and Jia Zhangke Set to Premiere This August

      One of the most artistically accomplished feature debuts showcased at Sundance earlier this year, Rafael Manuel's feature film Filipiñana, supported by Jia Zhangke, is set in a country club in the Philippines. The story follows a 17-year-old “tee-girl” who begins to uncover a troubling foundation of misogyny and violence among the elite members and clients. With striking visuals crafted by cinematographer Xenia Patricia, Manuel’s film effectively reveals the contrasting layers of beauty and systemic issues to highlight the inequalities in the country. As it prepares for its release on August 28 through Kino Lorber, the first trailer has been released for the Sundance winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision.

      Here’s the synopsis: “Isabel, a 17-year-old from the rural northern Philippines, is employed at an upscale country club outside Manila. Amidst oppressive heat and widespread drought, she positions golf balls for influential men to drive into the meticulously maintained green horizon. During her breaks, she explores the pristine grounds, indulging in its luxuries and wandering through its transitional spaces. The club’s members—including an industrialist and his expatriate niece, the president and his spoiled wife, and a group of Chinese tourists—perform a complicated interplay with the affectionate and obedient staff. However, beneath the immaculate fairways of this elite resort lies a decay, as Isabel discovers when she attempts to return a misplaced golf club to its authoritative director, Dr. Palanca. As she delves deeper into the exclusive areas of Alabang, she edges closer to the harsh realities of the club, her homeland of the Philippines, and her own history.”

      Check out the trailer and poster below.