Filipiñana
In this auspicious debut feature, a new hire arrives for work at a luxurious golf course on the outskirts of Manila, where she discovers something sinister hiding beneath its pristine surface.
Description
Isabel is a newly hired ball girl at a pristine golf course on Manila’s outskirts. An Ilokana from rural northern Philippines, she immediately feels out of place among the high-status guests. Motivated by the sweltering heat and her insatiable curiosity, Isabel slips away from her duties on the driving range. Over a languid afternoon, Isabel discovers the locations of blessed AC units, indulges in a finger of frosting from the buffet, and observes the peculiar routines of wealthy patrons. As her boldness grows, so do her unsettling discoveries, revealing insidious secrets lurking beneath the resort’s lavish surface. Filipiñana heralds the arrival of a striking new voice in filmmaking. Director Rafael Manuel’s first feature swings with visual splendor, wielding its imagery to deliver sharp, scintillating commentary on capitalism and corruption—even in the world’s most polished corners. —Jordan Klein
Biographies
Filipiñana is Rafael Manuel’s first feature. The 2020 short of the same name that inspired it won Berlin’s Silver Bear for Best Short Film. His other shorts include Sadie Makes a Baby (2017), Dogeater (2019), and 102 Narra (2024). He splits his time between London, Amsterdam, and Manila.
