Back in 2021, a Filipino film called “Islands”, directed by Martin Edralin, was shot mainly in Scarborough and released in Canada.
I recently watched the movie again on Apple TV ($6.99 to rent) and was reminded of how much this film touched me in so many ways. “Islands” is one of those movies that go deep into a character’s life. There are no shortcuts here.
The main character, Joshua, is played by novice actor Rogelio Balagtas.
We are given a peek into Joshua’s life–his every quirk, every secret desire, every facet of his life.
You must be patient: an entire minute is dedicated to watching a microwave turn; Canada’s national anthem is sung in its entirety; a line dancing class is observed through an unmoving, static, camera shot.
The movie is an exercise in perseverance, much like the main character’s life. At 49-years-old, Joshua is single, has never had a girlfriend, and still lives with his parents.
He is a man-child, coddled by a loving mom who wakes him up every morning, cooks his breakfast (Spam, fried eggs, and rice!), and packs his lunch.
Without revealing too much of the plot, let’s just say that Joshua suddenly becomes a caregiver, has to learn to grow up quickly, and be independent.
Balagtas’ strong performance received a nomination for Best Actor at the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards.
Much of my delight comes from seeing so many authentic Filipino references: the religious artifacts on the dresser, the wooden Last Supper decor on the wall, even a cross-stitched frame of Jesus.
These symbols of Christian faith are all too common in Filipino households.
Joshua is a very religious man who loves to pray. Through his prayers we discover his inner thoughts and desires, with the most heartbreaking confession of all, the plea “I don’t want to be alone.”
While some scenes are light-hearted and funny, meatier themes are also explored, such as dementia, sexual abuse and loneliness.
Joshua’s father in the film is played brilliantly by Filipino actor Esteban Comilang. He received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2022 for his portrayal of a father going through dementia.
Comilang bares all in a bathroom scene where he tries in vain to lift his legs up and over the bathroom tub to take a bath.
He barely speaks in the movie, yet every movement he makes, every grunt and gesture can be felt by the audience: you feel the heaviness and weight of his unyielding body.
All-too-common plights of Filipinos working or settling overseas are talked about: Joshua was a dentist in the Philippines, but couldn’t practice his craft in Canada.
A supporting character, Marisol, was a caregiver in Kuwait, who reveals she was treated like a slave, with her employers abusing her and withholding her passport.
Marisol is the pivot point in Joshua’s life. It is with Marisol’s arrival that we see Joshua smile for the first time. It is through Marisol that we see Joshua finally get over his intense shyness and become self-sufficient.
In the end, Joshua finds himself when he loses everyone.
It is a movie that will stay with you for a long time. The deliberate slow pace makes you stop, watch everything, and remember.
It may just be a fictional movie, but the plight of Filipinos depicted are real, and must never be forgotten.
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