A powerful international collaboration is bringing The Garden of Earthly Delights, the latest feature from director Morgan Knibbe, to this year’s QCinema International Film Festival, running from November 14 to 23. The project stands out for its raw, cinematic approach and its commitment to authenticity, casting real-life children to portray stories drawn from Manila’s streets.
The film is backed by a strong team of global and Filipino producers. Amsterdam-based BALDR Film—known for producing and co-producing titles showcased at Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, and Sundance—leads the production alongside the esteemed Filipino company Popple Pictures, with Belgium’s CZAR Film joining as a co-producer. Its importance as a cross-cultural work was recognized early, earning support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Netherlands Film Fund, and the Flanders Film Fund.
The film plunges the audience into the harsh and bustling Manila. The narrative follows eleven year-old Ginto, who dreams of escaping his scavenger life to become a gangster while grappling with his blossoming sexuality. Simultaneously, the world of Dutch tourist Michael crumbles after he discovers he’s been deceived by his online Filipino girlfriend, leading him into the city’s red light district, where dark desire meets sinister demand. As their paths inevitably converge, the film showcases a brutal and cinematically stunning collision where Western wealth and postcolonial poverty intersect.
The project is the feature debut for director Morgan Knibbe, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Roelof Jan Minneboo. Knibbe is internationally recognized for his powerful work, including his documentary debut ‘Those Who Feel the Fire Burning’ (2014), which was the Dutch entry for the Oscars and received over 30 international awards. Knibbe spent over a year in the Philippines in 2015 as the cinematographer for a European director’s documentary on street children, an experience that sparked the idea for ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’. In 2019, alongside co-writer Roelof Jan Minneboo and associate producer Kristine Kintana, Morgan deepened his immersion in the country while developing the screenplay.
Director Morgan Knibbe emphasizes the film’s powerful purpose: “This film exposes postcolonial inequalities that persist globally, confronting audiences with realities that are often conveniently ignored. Privilege lies in looking away. Using the power of cinema, we strive to expose exploitation and marginalization, inspire collective action, and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society, while honoring the utmost respect for the people we portray. This film was a collective endeavor between West and East, embracing diverse perspectives and amplifying authentic narratives to deconstruct harmful stereotypes.”
The collaboration between BALDR Film and Popple Pictures was vital in navigating the film’s sensitive subject matter. Armi Rae Cacanindin, CEO of Popple Pictures, spoke about this crucial creative exchange: “This film was a true meeting of minds and a necessary open collaboration. The Filipino production team was uncompromisingly dedicated to ensuring that the depiction of the Philippines would be authentic and grounded, but never exploitative. It was refreshing that the Dutch producers welcomed this creative guidance, understanding that true artistry in a
project like this demands sensitivity and local insights to deliver an honest and impactful narrative.”
‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ won several awards, including Best Director at the recently concluded Golden Calves (Dutch Academy Awards), which is popularly known as the Dutch version of the Oscars in the US. It will have its international premiere at the Torino Film Festival in Italy right after QCinema.
Unorthodox Casting: Embracing Realism with Non-Actors as Leads
In its commitment to realism and authentic storytelling, ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ adopted an unorthodox casting approach, choosing a non-actor to play the central character whose life often mirrors the role they portray. This deliberate decision provides the raw, unvarnished look required to tell a story about marginalized lives in Manila.
Before filming, the team went around Metro Manila to conduct street casting. That’s how they discovered the kids who would play the leads in the movie. The search for authenticity led the filmmakers to cast JP Rodriguez in the powerful lead role as Ginto. He once worked as a fruit
stand vendor and a supply porter in Manila’s largest trading area at a young age. The other kids who played Ginto’s friends were also just everyday normal kids with no acting experience before filming: John Michael Toling plays Jojo, Paula Mikaela Padon plays Lourdes, and Ada Belamide plays Liwa.
The main cast also includes theater and film performers Francesca Dela Cruz and Bunny Cadag. While acclaimed Dutch actor Benjamin Moen plays Michael. Moen has appeared in numerous theater, TV, and film productions, including the short film ‘Pizzamonster’, for which he was nominated for Best Actor at the Shortcutz festival in 2018.
Screening Information
‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ is part of the Before Midnight category of the 13th QCinema International Film Festival. It will have its Gala Premiere on November 15th at the Gateway Cinema. Check out the full screening schedule on https://qcinema.ph/
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