Filmmaker Statement

During the 2020 lockdowns, many found solace in the virtual world–including me. After my father’s death due to Covid, I tweeted my frustrations toward the Filipino government’s handling of the pandemic. My tweet went viral. I received so much kindness from people, but also a lot of hate and threats from government supporters. It was a scary time. I was forcibly put in this virtual space that seemed to lash out on me. However, I also formed powerful connections with strangers online. I discovered parts of myself that I didn't know existed thanks to these faceless avatars. Connection was born out of that promise of what the virtual space can be. The film’s production is also emblematic of that promise. Because of immigration policies at that time, I ended up directing this film from Los Angeles, with my lead in the Philippines, his co-lead in California, and the rest of my crew scattered everywhere in the world–all of us connected by the power of Zoom and timezone time calculators.