The film is written and directed by Manuel and is distributed by Kino Lorber.
The film is set against a backdrop of oppressive heat and drought. The narrative follows Isabel, a 17-year-old from the provinces of the Philippines, who gets a job at a prestigious golf resort.
Speaking with Variety, Manuel said he felt the golf course was the perfect setting for the film to explore societal inequities in the country. With the very first courses established on American military bases, the local elite eventually took over, making the golf course a center of power.
“When you think about it, it’s a good metaphor for the country in that it’s very large and situated on a very fertile plot of land that’s toiled on and worked on by so many people, but ultimately enjoyed and profited from by only a select few.” That, Manuel said, illustrates the class divide that has been so ingrained in the Philippines.
The international feature selections can be found here.
