After a successful run in various international film festivals, “As The Moth Flies,” a timely short film about mental illness directed by Gayle Oblea, is set to make its Asian premiere at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2024 (short film category).
‘As The Moth Flies’ talks about a woman who tries to assess her mentally ill partner and their turbulent relationship, only to unravel haunting truths about their unsettling past.
“As The Moth Flies” has traveled extensively, participating in prestigious festivals such as the Brussels Short Film Festival in Belgium, the Little Venice Film Festival in Italy, the Greenwich Film Festival in London, and the Urban Dreams Festival in New York, USA. Its screening at the Brussels Short Film Festival was particularly significant, as it is one of only 169 Oscar-qualifying festivals in the world. The film was the sole representative from the Asia Pacific, competing alongside entries from Europe and the United States.
Reflecting on the international journey, Oblea shared in a press conference, “During our research, we found out that you don’t get to qualify to world premiere in festivals if we premiere it first in the Philippines, so that’s really the main reason. That’s why we initially wanted to try the international scope first and then enter the short film to numerous festivals that are A-list.”
The 15-minute short film stars seasoned actor Epy Quizon as psychiatrist Dr. Oliver Sanchez
“One of the major key moments during the time I was there, during screening, it was such a heartwarming experience because people of different races, right after the film, they went to me and thanked me for making this film. And some were even crying,” she added.
Now, after making waves internationally, the film returns to the Philippines to compete at Sinag Maynila 2024. For Oblea, this is not just a homecoming but a significant milestone.
“I am deeply honored and thrilled to bring the film to its Asian premiere in the Philippines, where the story’s roots resonate most profoundly. The aim has always been to go beyond observation, allowing audiences to experience — if only for a moment — the weight, discomfort, and complexities faced by those who struggle silently,” Oblea noted.
The story of “As The Moth Flies” began during the pandemic when Oblea and her sister, grappling with their own mental health struggles, found solace in writing.
(From left) Executive producer Rav Singh, lead actor Boo Gabunada, director Gayle Oblea and executive producer Happy Manila.
“During the pandemic, even those who do not have a mental illness or might not be fully aware of it found that it became more emphasized because people were stuck at home, unable to do anything. It’s the same with us, especially since we’ve been doing production since 2018. You didn’t really have a choice but to stay inside your house. Everything was very restricted,” Oblea recalled.
“During that time, my sister and I were also dealing with our own demons, and we were grappling with questions like, ‘How long is this going to take?’ So, we diverted our attention to something else, which was writing this film,” she added.
The film’s narrative, which delves into a woman’s assessment of her mentally ill partner and their turbulent relationship, is designed to take the audience inside the mind of someone struggling with mental illness.
“We made sure that when we were writing the script, we included very accurate references to people who suffer from mental illness or those who might be unaware of it. We designed it to make viewers feel what it’s like to have that particular itch that you can’t quite scratch,” Oblea emphasized.
The film’s title, “As The Moth Flies,” is a metaphor for the unpredictable and episodic nature of mental illness. Originally titled “Paruparo” (Butterfly), it was changed due to concerns about associations with a popular song at the time.
“When you suffer from mental illness, there are what you call episodes. There are times when you’re okay, there are times when you’re not. So when the episode kicks in, that’s when the moth flies,” Oblea explained.
Boo Gabunada, who portrays Jett in the film, approached his role with deep commitment, driven by the film’s powerful message on mental health.
“When we did this, like with many things I do, I really dive deep into research, especially with this kind of material. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and documentaries about mental illnesses. There’s actually no shortage of resources online. I’ve also read some papers,” Gabunada shared.
He furthered he is particularly passionate about the film’s advocacy, recognizing the importance of raising awareness about mental health in the Philippines.
“I think it’s very important, especially in the Philippines. I’ve been to other countries, and I found out that a lot of things are more accessible to them as someone who has mental illness. It’s a lot easier for them to seek help. But here in the Philippines, there’s stigma. The best thing to do is to study about it, to research, watch resources, watch films,” he noted.
By bringing this film to the Sinag Maynila festival, Oblea hopes to spark meaningful conversations about mental health and encourage a more compassionate and informed approach to mental illness.
“By holding this premiere in Manila, we hope to break the silence and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health, using empathy as a bridge to understanding,” Oblea said.
Executively produced by Happy Manila and Rav Singh’s Desi Matters with associate producer RS Magtaan, Creative Kartel’s “As The Moth Flies” also stars Epy Quizon as psychiatrist Dr. Oliver Sanchez, Mina Cruz as Tonette, and Pam Arambulo.
Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2024 is slated from September 4 to 8 in Gateway, SM Manila, and other cinemas in Metro Manila.
Be the first to comment