HOME ABOUT THE FILM DIRECTOR'S BIO CAST BIOS SCREENINGS BUSONG IN THE NEWSREVIEWS

"I am thinking about a film we found from Southern Philippines, that transcends the border between documentary and fiction. The film deals with animism and is very close to nature. It has been shot without any apparent wish to be selected in Cannes or to be picked by a coproducer."

- Frederic Boyer, artistic director, Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Cannes 2011 Directors' Fortnight)

In Busong, Alessandra de Rossi plays Punay, who is born with wounds on her feet and cannot step on the earth.

Her brother, Angkarang, carries her through a hammock, as he searches the changing landscape of Palawan in hopes of finding a healer who can cure Punay.

Different people help him carry his sister along the way – a woman looking for her husband, a fisherman who lost his boat, and a young man who is searching for himself – and each one meets their fate.

"“Busong” was inspired by stories that Solito’s mother told him about her native Palawan when he was a child. In an earlier interview, he explained that “Busong” is the indigenous Palawanon concept of fate or instant karma. “What you do to nature, you do to yourself,” he said. “Busong” is set in present Palawan while the other two planned films will tackle the picturesque province’s past, “Delubyo (Deluge),” and future, “Sumbang (Origin).” “Busong” itself is composed of three segments: “Forest,” “Sea” and “Mountain.” (quoted from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

"Busong is the first film coming from Palawan (island in the Philippines) and will get an international reception at Cannes. Auraeus Solito comes to the festival for the first time and does so with a film that is already making history while its inclusion in the prestigious Quinzaine des Réalisateurs is also no small feat..."-- Screenrush UK website


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