The Boat People – trailer

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

Set in an unspecified future at the precarious edge of humanity’s possible extinction, „The Boat People“ follows a group of children led by a strong-willed and resourceful little girl, who travel the seas and collect the stories of a world they never knew through objects that survived through time.
Calling themselves The Boat People, the group finds objects amongst the ruins of human civilization, spread through the seas. They replicate objects that resonate with them in wood as a way to try and piece together a history they are trying to understand. They then burn the carvings for reasons that have long been forgotten.

The Boat People arrive in a place formerly known as Bataan and come into contact with the rich layers of intermingled histories and eras embedded in the coast. They encounter objects from a refugee crisis, a world war, and some of the earliest migrations in human history. The little girl encounters a mysterious statue head buried in the sand. They engage in a dialogue that not only explores concepts of a future and a past world through an existential lens, but also gives us a look into the reasons behind this group’s mysterious ritual of burning their beautifully hand-carved replicas.

„The Boat People“ was produced in collaboration with Bellas Artes Projects in Bataan, Philippines. The production team was composed of cinematographer Andrew Yuyi Truong, research assistant Jane Pujols, 1st Camera Assistant Rhon Bacal, and the Bellas Artes Team. Nguyen cast five children from the local fishing village in Bagac, Bataan as the main characters of the film. Making their film debut are Gryshyll Reyes Ilarina as Riana, Michael Mendoza Soronio, John Carlos Cruz Moris, Jescee Dheivid Taba Recinte, and Benedict Recinte Revelo. The film was shot in the different areas of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Mt. Samat, the Nuclear Powerplant Village, and the Phillipine Refugee Processing Center.

PRODUCED BY
Bellas Artes Projects
&
James Cohan NYC

CAST

Riana / Last Woman on Earth
Gryshyll Reyes Ilarina

Statue Head
Jam Acuzar

Boys
Michael Mendoza Soronio
John Carlos Cruz Moris
Jescee Dheivid Taba Recinte
Benedict Recinte Revelo

Directed by
Tuan Andrew Nguyen

Written by
Tuan Andrew Nguyen
Jane Pujols
Christopher Myers

Cinematography
Andrew Yuyi Truong

Production Manager & Assistant Director
Rj Camacho

First Assistant Camera
Rhon Jacob Bacal

Coordinator & Research
Jane Pujols

ARTESANS
Woodcarvers & Metalworkers
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Artisans
New San Jose Builders Inc.
Arnold Flores (Buboy)
Joseph De Ramos (Jojo)
Cesar Fadul
Cesar Fadul Jr.
Jerry Fadul
Zyrus Fadul
Rafael Amante
Edmar Buce Jr.
Ricardo Maso
Ping Ceriola
Gerry Ortiz
Toby Fabon
Allan Cenita
Leo Albunag
Albert Fadul
Katlene Insegne
Don Quitalig
Rodmark Fontanilla

Boat Model Makers
Darrel Recana
JR Miralles

Lighting & Grip
RSVP Film Equipment Rental
Jaydie Malonzo
Reymar Itang
Edelson Bautista
Mark Anthony Rimada
Rubie Cuyog

Production Assistance From
Bellas Artes Projects Team
Rj Camacho
Johannes Balagso
Ansperniel Aquino
Joanna Vocalan
Fatima Manalili
Ruby Weatherall
Tenie Santos

Edited by
Tuan Andrew Nguyen

Color
Gabe Sanchez

Sound Design & Mix
Vick Hoang, Wallsound

Music
Dewa Alit Gamelan Salukat
&
Itanong Mo Sa Mga Bata,
composed by Asin
performed by Jam Acuzar

SPECIAL THANKS

Bellas Artes Projects
Jam Acuzar
The Acuzar family
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Diana Campbell Bettancourt
Inti Guerrero
James Cohan Gallery NY
Paula Naughton
Kaye Aboitiz
Isabelle Tee
Morong Philippines Refugee Processing Centre
Vivencio B. Dizon
Daisy R. Fernando
Mount Samat Site and Museum
BGen. Restituto L. Aguilar
NAPOCOR Village
Gerry Q. Rejano
The Philippines Coastguard
Imelda Moris
Laulyn Ilarina
Bernadette Taba
Alicia Revelo
Lovely Soronio
Jocelyn Recinte
Huynh Ngo Van Anh
Aiyana Thu Linh Nguyen
Talan Anh Nguyen