CinemaBravo

The short film ‘As the Moth Flies,’ which tackles mental health issues, is all set to screen in the Philippines for the first time in Asia. This film from young director Gayle Oblea has been showcased and well-received in several international film festivals in Europe and United States of America. It will be showcased at the short film category of Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2024, which will run from September 4 to 8, 2024 at Gateway, SM Manila, and other theatres in Metro Manila.

Reflecting on the stark contrast in how her work was received abroad compared to her home country, director Gayle shared during the media conference for ‘As the Moth Flies’ the surreal experience of witnessing a deep appreciation for her film in Europe:

“Sobrang kakaiba… very surreal yung feeling because iba pala yung way ng appreciation ng art do’n. Like… people would line up. Hindi siya katulad dito sa Pilipinas na people don’t go to the cinemas anymore right after the pandemic. But doon, grabe yung appreciation nila. Even kids would line up… with their parents… Sobrang surreal nung experience because yung appreciation talaga nila do’n: they talk about the film right after… and they really invest money on their filmmakers in Europe.”

(The experience was so different… very surreal because the way they appreciate art there is so different. People would line up, unlike here in the Philippines where people don’t go to the cinemas as much after the pandemic. But there, their appreciation is incredible. Even kids would line up with their parents… The experience was so surreal because their appreciation is genuine: they talk about the film right after… and they really invest money in their filmmakers in Europe.)

Oblea’s stay in Europe made her realize that apart from audiences being very interested in the films, they also support their filmmakers financially. This was especially seen during the screening of the film at the Brussels Short Film Festival in Belgium where the film was the only Asian short film in the list.

The festival’s reception was deeply moving for Gayle, who recalled a particularly heartwarming moment during the screening:

“I guess one of major key moments during the time when I was there, during our screening time, it was such a heartwarming experience because people of different races like Europeans, Americans, Filipinos, and all, right after the film, they went to me, and they said, ‘Thank you for making this film.’ And they were crying. Like, I was caught off-guard that may mga umiiyak, lumalapit. And people cried when they were watching that. And then they told me na… ‘Thank you for making this film’…. Europe also… provide proper assistance to people who… has mental illness, but meron pa ring stigma doon. Sabi ko nga, go to the Philippines, mas malala yung stigma. That’s why we were inspired to make this film.”

(I guess one of the major key moments during our screening was when people of different races—Europeans, Americans, Filipinos, and others—came up to me right after the film and said, ‘Thank you for making this film.’ They were crying. I was caught off guard that some people were crying as they approached me. People cried while watching the film, and then they told me, ‘Thank you for making this film.’ Europe also provides proper assistance to people who have mental illness, but there’s still a stigma there. I said, go to the Philippines; the stigma is worse. That’s why we were inspired to make this film.)

Actor Boo Gabunada, who plays Jett in the film, shared how the script resonated with him during a time when everyone was isolated during the pandemic:

“I remember Gayle sent me the script and… told me a short background about it. I think at the time… pandemic… we’re all at home, isolated, and we are all forced to confront our own demons, I think the material really spoke to me. And yon! I was like, game, let’s do it!”

(I remember Gayle sent me the script and told me a short background about it. I think at the time… pandemic… we’re all at home, isolated, and we are all forced to confront our own demons. I think the material really spoke to me. And that’s it! I was like, game, let’s do it!)

In addition to his role in the film, Boo shared that he has a personal advocacy for increasing mental health awareness and support in the Philippines.

Boo elaborated, “I think it’s very important, especially in the Philippines. I’ve been to other countries and I found out that a lot of things are more accessible to them… But here in the Philippines: one, there’s stigma — it’s kinda strange, there’s still stigma about it; and two, the accesibility as well, proper information when you need to seek help, and what kind of help you can actually get. These are all not ideal. It’s there, you can seek help but then not ideal. I think, one of the main things why I wanted to explore these things with all of the collaborators was because the advocacy speaks to me, and it’s an advocacy that more people could support pa.”

(I think it’s very important, especially in the Philippines. I’ve been to other countries and found out that many things are more accessible to them. But here in the Philippines, one, there’s stigma—it’s kinda strange, there’s still stigma about it; and two, the accessibility as well, proper information when you need to seek help, and what kind of help you can actually get. These are all not ideal. It’s there, you can seek help, but it’s not ideal. I think one of the main reasons why I wanted to explore these things with all the collaborators was because the advocacy speaks to me, and it’s an advocacy that more people could still support.)

Produced by Creative Kartel, in association with Desi Matters and Happy Manila, this 15-minutes short film features Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon as Dr. Oliver Sanchez (the psychiatrist), Mina Cruz as Tonette (the wife), Boo Gabunada as Jett (the husband), and Pam Arambulo as the main characters.

As the film seeks to break the prejudice regarding mental health and to encourage viewers to be more compassionate, the screening of ‘As the Moth Flies’ in Manila is not just a simple Asian premiere but a vital call to stop the stigma and to start a campaign for the awareness of mental health problems in the Philippines.