A debut feature film that explores the Philippines’ underground punk scene and social activism is participating in the Tokyo Gap Financing Market, part of the Tokyo International Film Festival’s TIFFCOM Market.
Directed by award-winning short film director Irving Bellarmino, “Lia” follows 25-year-old Leah, who lives in a punk commune on the verge of demolition while caring for her diabetic foster mother. Working as a housekeeper at a hotel, she becomes involved in an underground porn business as financial pressures mount. The story culminates with Leah rallying the punk community against the forces that threaten her home.
For Bellarmino, this project was born out of first-hand experience. “I’ve always wanted to make a film about the Philippine punk community, because that’s the community I’m in,” says the director, who has been organizing mutual aid activities with punk groups since 2013. and delivering basic necessities to those in need. It is our form of resistance against a system that forces us to struggle over our most basic rights. I continue to do this to this day, the only difference is that I’m making a movie about it now. ”
Bellarmino’s short films have won several awards, and “Radicals” was nominated for Cannes earlier this year. “Although strange and strange at times, my short films always contain a sociopolitical layer. The combination of creative rebellion and consciousness itself takes over my punk side. I think so,” Bellarmino said.
Producer Kristin de Leon (Radicals) was drawn to the project’s unique perspective on Philippine society. “After reading the first draft, I finally understood why this film should be produced by me,” she says. “Leah’s story is rooted in a woman’s perspective on the world around her, especially the chaos and impunity that currently plagues Philippine society.”
A graduate of Talent Tokyo, Locarno Filmmakers Academy, and Produir aux Sud Workshops Nantes, Bellarmino was selected for the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Cinéfondation La Residence for Lear. It won the National Cinema Center (CNC) Award. Producer Arenberg Ahn, who co-produced the 2022 Cannes title “Plan 75,” was connected to Bellarmino during his stay in Cannes and joined the project. “We spent quite a bit of time talking, and that’s when I completely understood what he wanted to do with his first feature. Without hesitation, I came on board as one of the producers. And the fact that Kristin, our acting producer, is the person I’m mentoring makes the collaboration even more appealing,” Anne says.
Beyond its punk aesthetic, Bellarmino emphasizes the film’s deeper resonance. “In the Philippines, punk is more than just music. It is a group of people who take up arms and fight in solidarity to help the marginalized and peacefully resist a system of corruption and impunity. It is a movement.”
This project is taking place at TIFFCOM and aims to bridge the funding gap while connecting with potential sales agents, distributors and festival programmers.
