NEW YORK, USA – I jumped at the chance to watch a fine cut of Moonglow when filmmaker Isabel Sandoval and producer Alemberg Ang invited a small group to a screening at the cozy Spectacle Theater in Brooklyn.

Isabel’s crime noir set in 1970s Manila is still a work in progress but she wanted to screen it to get feedback from the select audience, which included writer Gil Quito and Geena Rocero, author, transgender model and advocate, and producer, who told us that she’s also working on film projects.

In addition to writing, editing, and directing Moonglow, Isabel also stars opposite Arjo Atayde in what she described to me in an earlier interview, as “not your typical Filipino crime thriller but a meditation on fate, nostalgia, and memory.”

Since this is a rough cut that the North Carolina-based Filipina filmmaker showed us, I can only say that she delivered on those three elements — fate, nostalgia, and memory.

Isabel added in that interview, “I wanted the title to evoke the particular mood and feeling I hope to conjure through the movie.”

“It continues the aesthetic and dramatic trajectory I explored in Lingua Franca — a world of shadows and secrets yet rendered with lyricism and sensuousness. I want Moonglow to put audiences under a spell.”

In an interview in Cannes last May, Alemberg shared the film’s story: “It is about this police investigator (Dahlia) played by Isabel herself. It’s set in the during the Marcos administration. The police investigator was commissioned by the police chief, Bernal (Dennis Marasigan), to investigate a heist which happened at his home.”

“Somebody stole a lot of money from the police chief’s house and because he’s the police chief, he doesn’t want to tell people. So, he looked for somebody he trusted, who is Isabel, and the police chief’s nephew (Charlie), played by Arjo Atayde.”

“He was a trainee before but he went to America to be a lawyer. He’s back for vacation. The chief hired the two of them to investigate this heist. And the thing is, the investigator and the nephew had a past.”

“She didn’t go with him (to the States) and now that he’s back, they’re being paired together again by the police chief to do this investigation.”

A spark is re-ignited between Isabel and Arjo’s characters as they work on the case and chase leads. Corruption in the government and the police force is the underlying theme.

Isaac Banks, who also lensed Isabel’s acclaimed Lingua Franca, shot Moonglow in color. In the filming done early this year, Banks captured noirish settings in Manila, especially Chinatown and Escolta, and Quezon City.

The cast includes Isabel and Arjo Atayde are the leads with a cast that includes Sylvia Sanchez, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Agot Isidro, Dennis Marasigan, Paolo O’Hara, Bombi Plata, and Rocco Nacino.

I can’t wait to watch the final version of Moonglow which Isabel plans to release next year. I also look forward to Tropical Gothic, her planned period drama set in 16^th century Philippines, described as “an allegory on Western colonialism.”

The Loida Lewis podcast

Trailblazing Filipina lawyer, businesswoman, philanthropist, Asian American and Pacific Islander advocate and community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis turned the tables on me in our interview for The Loida Lewis Podcast in her sprawling Fifth Avenue apartment.

It’s refreshing and stimulating sometimes to be the one being “grilled.” And with the gracious, charming, and fun Loida asking me the questions, it was an enriching, thought-provoking experience as well.

According to the podcast producer, Lora Nicolas Olaes, “While touring all over the US and Canada for her book, Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood and Running A Billion Dollar Empire, Loida realized that at 80 years old, she has a lot more wisdom to impart, especially to those who are just beginning their adult lives, inspiring her to take on a new platform.”

“With her tagline of ‘Let’s live, laugh, love and learn together,’ Loida’s podcast embodies her commitment to empowerment, aiming to provide a space where stories, insights, and practical advice inspire (especially) women and minority groups.”

After the interview, I had the blessing of enjoying a moment of quiet solitude in the living room of this apartment featured in Architectural Digest.

With classical music playing in the background, I savored the breathtaking sunset view of Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and Manhattan’s skyline and admired each of the original paintings, including by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, in the room. I quietly murmured a prayer of thanks for this sublime moment.

Afterward, I sat down for dinner and champagne with Loida, Janet, and New York-based fashion designer Bessie Besana who were also interviewed by our host, and charming couple, Jessy Daing and JV Valino, the podcast producer and director-producer, respectively.

Watch for these episodes on the podcast which will stream its second season starting end of October.

SOHO International Film Festival

I caught the last four days of the SOHO International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) which commemorated its 15^th anniversary with the largest and most diverse program. Held again at the landmark Village East by Angelika in Manhattan, the festival celebrated filmmakers from all over the world, with more than 130 films screened across multiple categories.

Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, SIFFNYC’s executive director and head of programming, said in a statement:

“This 15th edition feels especially meaningful. Every film shown represents a unique voice and it’s been an honor to witness such diverse, passionate storytelling from around the world.”

“These filmmakers truly inspire us all, reminding us of the power of cinema to connect, challenge, and move people. I’m incredibly proud of this year’s program and even more excited for what’s to come.”

Kudos to Sibyl, the daughter of veteran actress Lorli Villanueva, and Jorge Ballos, president, who founded SIFFNYC. I am proud of these two Filipino Americans who persevered and nurtured the festival to what it is now, a popular showcase for international indie cinema.

Together with Carlos Santiago, director of the jury and film selection committee, Sibyl and Jorge have established a festival that attracts filmmakers from all over the world.

Fittingly for its milestone, the festival moved its awards night gala to a bigger venue, Circo Restaurant and Night Club, in the heart of Times Square.

Lou Diamond Phillips, actor, writer, and director, and a governor in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ Actors Branch, led the presenters in honoring the diverse global filmmakers and standout nominees. He and his wife, Marci Phillips,  NY VP of talent and casting for ABC/Disney entertainment, co-headed the jurors this year.

My wife Janet and I (full disclosure: we are both on the SIFFNYC board) also had the honor of presenting, along with other figures that included Adrienne Stern, veteran casting director and producer.

Backstage, Lou — Golden Globe, Emmy, and Tony Award nominee and memorable in such films as Courage Under Fire, Stand and Deliver, Young Guns, and La Bamba —  unexpectedly made my night.

Lou and I have met several times before, with the recent one at the White House for the Filipino American History Month celebration. The actor was born in the Subic Bay Station, Zambales to a Filipina mother and an American father of Scots-Irish and Cherokee descent. This time, he and I were able to briefly chat.

Lou spontaneously expressed his appreciation for my pieces spotlighting Filipino talent. Thank you, Lou, for the kind words. It’s not often that an artist takes time to acknowledge — and with such sincerity — a writer.

The festival also collaborated with New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) to salute the contributions of women in the film industry. These honors were presented by Kim Jackson, producer and incoming board president of NYWIFT.

I was especially happy for Sadie Bones, whose feature directing debut, If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing, won the Audience Award for Full-Length Feature.

Remarkably, Sadie, who also acts in the comedy-drama, just turned 20 so I can imagine her bright future as a filmmaker. She elicits fine performances from her cast, led by David Krumholtz and Aitana Doyle as Sydnie — watch this very promising actress.

Filmmakers, actors, and other talents packed the two levels of Circo. Familiar faces, including Rachel Alejandro, Lorli Villanueva, director Jeffrey Jeturian (who was a returning jury member), Over a Glass or Two hosts Jessy Daing and JCas Jesse Castro, JV Valino, Bessie Besana, singer Rasmin Diaz and Elton Lugay of The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA), which will hand out its awards in Hawaii in October, popped up at every corner.

Among the Filipino talents whose entries made it to SIFFNYC are Maya Puyat, Philip Miles Orduña, Koa Bayani, Jeremy Rafal, Myra Aquino (her Get Your Story Straight! stars Princess Punzalan), Yasmine Gomez, Timothy Guion Smith (his Next of Kin topbills Joan Almedilla), and Tyler Vincent. Sibyl also produced and acted in Glendale Paradise.

Below is the full list of the 2024 SOHO International Film Festival winners and nominees — congratulations to all!

Best US Showcase Feature Film

• Winner: Max Dagan – directed by Terre Weisman
• All Happy Families – Haroula Rose
• I’ll Be There – Andrew Shea
• If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing – Sadie Bones
• The Strange Dark – Chris Messineo
• The Way We Speak – Ian Ebright

Best World Showcase Feature Film

• Winner: Tales of Taipei (Taiwan) – directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji, Rachid Hami, Keat Aun Chong, Sinje Lee, Norris Wong Yee Lam, Joseph Chen-Chieh Hsu, Chen-Hao Yin, Remii Huang, Chuan Hui Liu
• Exile (Turkey) – Aaron Erol Ozlevi
• Steely Lovers (South Korea) – Jong koo Choi
• Three Infallible Rules (Italy) – Marco Gianfreda

Best Showcase Documentary Film

• Winner: Broken Eyes – directed by Dana Conroy
• My Life with Asperger’s – Julianna Brudek
• The Bridge – Evan Jackson Leong
• The Opener – Jeff Toye

Best Showcase Animated Film

• Winner: A Cow in the Sky – directed by Darren Press, C. Fraser Press
• Dragonfly – Julia Morizawa
• Flocky – Esther Casas Roura
• Isotopia – Tom Cassese
• Spotlight – Maya Puyat
• Tree – Jeongmin Koo

Best US Showcase Short Film

• Winner: The Wake – directed by Dave Coleman
• Ashes on the Highway – Rupert Smith
• Brett Was a F*ck – Keith Rubin, Lauren Sowa
• Displaced – Amy Leland
• Jackrabbit Homestead – Kimberlea Kressal
• Last Light – Koa Bayani
• The Last Take – Brian Foyster
• Line of Fire – Weston Porter
• Night Session – Ballard C. Boyd
• The Red Shoe – K. Lorrel Manning
• See You Later – Yudelka Heyer
• Wake – Sean Carter
• The Well – Philip Miles Orduna, Sarah Young

Best World Showcase Short Film

• Winner: The Weight of Home (Australia) – Jessica Rookeward, Tamiah Bantum
• And That’s for This Christmas (Bulgaria) – Nicholas Livanos
• Fist (United Kingdom) – Andrew McVicar
• Insurrection (Spain) – Daniel M. Caneiro, Jorge Hinojosa
• Matterhorn (United Kingdom, Switzerland) – Anne Madeleine Mancosu
• Thirteen (Austria) – Viktoria Windhab
• Our Last Day as Kids (Canada) – Dylan Scott Hryciuk

Best Showcase Documentary Short

• Winner: To Myself, With Love: The Bessie Springfield Story – directed by Diane Fredel-Weis
• Di Sarno – The Story of Emilio’s Ballato – Johannes Kroemer
• Finding My Voice – Rouven Gueissaz
• This Is IRA Richer – Rick Knief
• We’re Ready To Believe You: Ghostbusters 40th Anniversary – Jason Godbey

Audience Award for Full-Length Feature

Winner: If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing

Runners-up:

• I’ll Be There
• The Strange Dark

Audience Award for Short Film or Series Pilot

Winner: Night Session

Runners-up:

• Dig Deeper
• The Last Take

Audience Award for Exhibition Films

Winner: The Greatest

Runners-up:

• Karaganda
• Sally, Get the Potatoes

Best Acting Performance in a Leading Role – US Feature

• Winner: Patrick Fabian – The Way We Speak
• Jasmine Batchelor – I’ll Be There
• Ryan Cooper – I’ll Be There
• Aitana Doyle – If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing
• Rob Morrow – Max Dagan
• Zach Gordon – Max Dagan

Best Acting Performance in a Leading Role – World Feature

• Winner: Saadet Aksoy – Exile (Turkey)
• Matteo Olivetti – Three Infallible Rules (Italy)
• Guglielmo Aquaro – Three Infallible Rules (Italy)
• Yoon Jin Seo – Steely Lovers (South Korea)

Best Acting Performance in a Leading Role – US Short

• Winner: Dave Coleman – The Wake
• Molly Ringwald – Catherine & Michael
• Evan Williams – Steps
• Richard Kind – Night Session
• Arielle Beth Klein – The Red Shoe
• Ali Stoner – The Red Shoe
• Charlie McElveen – Brett Was a F*ck
• K Steele – Wake

Best Acting Performance in a Leading Role – World Short

• Winner: Tom Bezhanishvili – Thirteen/Dreizehn (Austria)
• Moir Leslie – Matterhorn (Switzerland/United Kingdom)
• Tilly Vosburgh – Matterhorn (Switzerland/United Kingdom)
• Jessica Rookeward – The Weight of Home (Australia)
• Brian Keane – Moratorium (Ireland)
• Jenn Murray- Runner (Ireland)
• Connor Delves – The Weight of Home (Australia)

The full list is available at sohofilmfest.com. – Rappler.com