Filipino indie film “Busong” wins international critics prize

Auraeus Solito’s “Busong” wins FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) International Critics Prize at the Eurasia International Film Festival, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

“Busong” is a native Palawanon’s term for “fate” or “instant karma”. The film tackles the environmental degradation in Palawan island-province, where Solito’s mother hails from. The film has acclaimed actress Alessandra da Rosi as the main character Punay.

From the website www.busongpalawanfate.com, the short synopsis of the film goes:

“Punay was born with wounds in her feet so she cannot step on the earth. Her brother, Angkadang, carries her with a hammock, as he searches the changing landscape of Palawan hoping to find a healer. Different people help him carry his sister along the way—a woman looking for her husband, a fisherman who lost his boat and a young man who is searching for himself- and each one meets his/her fate (Busong).”

Punay is described the personification of the island itself.

Palawan has been in the news in recent months because of the unsolved killing of environmentalist-broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega and the campaign to stop mining that threatens to destroy what is labelled as the country’s last frontier.