In the ethereal dark, Where the Night Stands Still emerges as a captivating cinematic experience crafted by the visionary Liryc Dela Cruz. This debut feature delves into the profound depths of human emotions and the intricacies of our deeply held beliefs. While the film nestles in its monochrome context, the characters embark on a contemplative journey, delving into the intricacies of their deepest thoughts and desires. Dela Cruz navigates the tangled web of human relationships, unveiling the raw and vulnerable nature of sibling bonds reunited after a long separation. With a contemplative gaze on the human journey, Where the Night Stands Still invites us to ponder how echoes of past experiences reverberate through our future decisions.
Ate opens the film with her prayer while kneeling in front of the window “In the name of the father, of the son, of the holy spirit, Amen!” In the sombre aftermath of her demise, his thoughts and prayers drift towards Madame Patrizia, who in her final act bestowed her home upon Ate, the loyal maid whose faithful service spanned more than three decades, only to be untimely taken by the grip of Covid-19. Through these words, we come to understand that an unyielding force resides within Ate, akin to the night that eternally eludes the embrace of dawn’s first light.
Ate is waiting to welcome her sister and brother, Rosa and Kuya. These Filipino siblings have finally reunited after a long separation. Though they are miles away from their ancestral home, it feels as if that distant place in the Philippines continues to dwell within them, carrying its pain, even with Ate, who now inhabits this grand house. Their long-awaited reunion awakens old memories and unvoiced grievances. The distance that has developed between them becomes increasingly apparent, uncovering the subtle yet deep scars of absence, longing, and broken connections. Ate’s brother tries to convince her to sell the house and start a new life different from what has been experienced so far, but Ate is living as Madam Patrizia’s servant even after her death. Such an ironic analogy is perceivable between the film’s name and Ate’s mindset. It seems the night of destiny never draws back on behalf of the light.
The depth of agony weighed heavily in Kuya’s words as he spoke of their homeland. “In the Philippines and here in Italy, we are slaves!” His voice cracked with emotion, the pain of their separation and the struggles they faced etched into every syllable. Despite the physical distance that separated them, the bonds of their shared heritage and the memories of their homeland bound them together in a web of sorrow and longing. But Ate is nothing but a piece of holy verse that never changes, and for someone like her brother suffering from the hardships of life, believing and longing for it is a lunatic job.
Dela Cruz is an artist and filmmaker hailing from the Southern Philippines and Rome, Italy. In 2023, his exhibition “IL Mio Filipino: For Those Who Care to See” in Rome centred on his extensive research into themes of “exhaustion, slavery, care, hospitality, and the colonial history of the Philippines.” Tess Magallanes, Jenny Llanto Caringal, and Benjamin Vasquez Barcellano Jr. are the protagonists of Where the Night Stands Still. Pelircula, Ozono, and Il Mio Filipino Collective were the producers, with Reckless Natarajan Pictures serving as co-producer. Alpha Violet is responsible for international distribution.
The cinematography in Where the Night Stands Still is masterfully rendered in monochrome, heightening the film’s emotional resonance and contemplative narrative. Nestled within the sprawling villa inherited by Ate, the black-and-white palette vividly captures the interplay of light and shadow, reflecting the intricate dynamics of the siblings’ relationships. As three Filipino siblings—all domestic workers in Italy—reunite after years apart, the absence of colour evokes a poignant sense of nostalgia and longing, underscoring the weight of their intertwined past.
The environment is stripped of vibrant hues, reducing it to its essence and focusing the audience’s gaze solely on the siblings’ expressions and exchanges. Moments where light spills through the window onto their faces, capturing Rosa and Ate talking in the kitchen as they reminisce about their childhood, or slumbering in the darkened rooms, are beautifully illustrated in these black-and-white frames. Their interactions may carry a certain monotony in some scenes, yet the cinematography enriches these quiet moments, transforming them into poignant reflections of their shared journey and emotional landscapes.
Where the Night Stands Still, the debut feature film of Liryc Dela Cruz, has its world premiere in the Berlin Film Festival’s New Perspectives section, a competition program for first fiction features.
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