The Cinematheque

VIFF 2021

Still living with his aging parents and docilely listing towards his 50th birthday, Joshua (Rogelio Balagtas), a Filipino immigrant, prays every night for God to rid him of his shyness. In the wake of a tragedy, the Almighty seemingly answers his petition when his beatific cousin Marisol (Sheila Lotuaco) arrives on his doorstep to offer support. Through her genuine warmth and generous spirit, she slowly transforms Joshua’s house back into a home and incrementally lures the anxious introvert out of his shell. As Balagtas, an untrained actor, reveals more aspects of Joshua’s character, he becomes a quietly commanding screen presence. Seamlessly transitioning to feature filmmaking after a series of acclaimed shorts, Martin Edralin fashions a disarmingly tender, deeply nuanced, and uncommonly intimate character study that achieves an exquisite balance of gentle humour and humane drama. The story mechanics are so delicately calibrated and sense of naturalism so pervasive that we often feel that we’re simply witnessing life unfold onscreen.

Cast: Rogelio Balagtas, Sheila Lotuaco, Esteban Comilang, Pablo S.J. Quiogue, Vangie Alcasid, Bianca Yambanis

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