PH film ‘Musmos’ wins in Russia

Scenes from “Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma”

Iar Arondaing’s “Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma” bagged the Jury Prize at the recently concluded 2019 Baikal International Film Festival in Russia, its producer Jed Medrano told the Inquirer.

The said victory came on the heels of the film’s winning the best cinematography trophy (for Mac Cosico) at the Figueira da Foz-Film Art Festival 2019 in Portugal, held early this month.

The coming-of-age film, set against the backdrop of age-old clan wars, tells the story of a girl named Eshai (Junyka Santarin) and her self-discovery as she becomes torn between love and violence.

Medrano, who is still in Russia as of press time, said “the audience liked the film and asked questions about it during the Q&A portion.”

Among the questions raised during the session were the reasons its director made the film, the percentage of Catholics and Muslims in the Philippines, whether or not Filipino Catholics are allowed to marry people with Muslim faith, and whether or not “rido,” or clan wars, are still happening in the Philippines today.

Medrano said the film served as Arondaing’s “prayer of peace for Muslims in the Philippines.” It was also his plea for the “conservation of our environment, like the country’s forests and bodies of water … It is his way of discussing these concerns in our society,” she explained.

In a previous interview with the Inquirer, Arondaing said bringing home awards is merely a bonus for him and his team. “Being given the chance to represent the Philippines is already a big win for us,” he stressed.

“Musmos” debuted at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in 2018.