Brillante Mendoza |Philippines|2012 | 100' | Arabic, Tagalog, English|English subtitles
Filipino film director Brillante Mendoza’s work is often confrontational and provocative. With Thy Womb, a surprising mix of marriage drama and comical morality tale, Mendoza shows that he can also create a sensitive, moving film. He reaped many awards with it, for example at the 2012 Venice Film Festival.
Shaleha and her husband live on the small island of Sitangkai in the southernmost part of the Philippines. They make their living by fishing and weaving mats. Shaleha is also the local midwife, which is in her case a bittersweet fact as she herself is unable to bear a child. One day she decides to help fulfil her husband’s only wish and arrange for him to have a child: She starts the search for a new, fertile wife for him. However, this turns out to be quite difficult, as the parents of possible candidates demand a high price in exchange for their daughters.
Filipino actress Nora Anour, who can look back on a long and impressive career, plays Shelaha. As Shaleha she perfectly embodies a woman who makes an enormous sacrifice for love’s sake, even though it hurts her deeply.
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De Balie: Sun 18 aug – 17:15 