"Bwaya" Screens at the FDCP Cinematheque this Week

This week at the FDCP Cinematheque, we wil get to watch Francis Xavier Pasion's haunting film "Bwaya" which is about a mother haunted by the disappearance of their daughter which was believed to have been attacked by a crocodile. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Building, Solis Street, Iloilo City (near BPI and East West Bank). The Cinematheque is Iloilo's home of quality indie films and art films from the local and international cinema. [hit the jump to continue]

In "Bwaya", Divina is a Manobo mother preparing for her daughter Rowena’s 13th birthday when she hears shocking news: her daughter has been attacked by a crocodile, and is still missing. As Divina searches for Rowena in the marshlands of Agusan del Sur, she learns a lesson more tragic than her fate: not all predators are underwater. The film is based on actual events.

The film is based on actual events that happened in 2009 to Rowena Romano, a 12-year-old girl who was attacked by a saltwater crocodile (called “bwaya” in Filipino) in Agusan del Sur. The movie breaks the fourth wall and gives its audience the opportunity to look into the real story of the actual events.

Angeli Bayani, who is best known for her role in the film "Ilo-ilo" and "Norte" plays the central mother character Divina. Jolina Salvado, a child discovered by Direk Francis in Agusan, plays Rowena. The film also stars Karl Medina, the eldest son of veteran actor Pen Medina.  The film is directed by Francis Xavier Pasion, who is best known for his first feature film, “Jay” which won several film awards, and was screened in several international film festivals which included the Venice International Film Festival. “Sampaguita, National Flower,” his second Cinemalaya entry, has been selected at the HongKong Asian Financing Forum in 2009. And was screened in competition, Generation section of the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival.
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