One of the seven short films included in Katorse Shorts is a poignant and starkly real look into a family on the verge of falling apart in the face of impending death.


In Puwang, talented indie actors give life to film's uncommon yet familiar characters. Roence Santos plays Arlene, the eldest daughter who has been working too hard in caring for her bedridden father and keeping both her families together. She is unable to disguise her resentment toward her absent brother Angelo, played by Bon Reyes. Lorena Landicho plays the youngest sister Anne, fearful not only of her father's death but also for the future of the child she will give birth to. The late indie actor, Elmo Redrico, delivers a brilliant portrayal of the invalid father.

Penned, directed, and edited by Anna Isabelle Matutina, Puwang is her third film and the second one to be a finalist in the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. The film is told with the grit of realism in Richard Legaspi's production design in contrast with the muted clean elegance of Alma de la Pena and Wowie Hao's cinematography. The music of Lionel Valdellon provides the backdrop of this taciturn short.

Puwang is showing until June 17 at Robinson's Galleria, Indie Sine, under the program Katorse Shorts. The other short films are Ang Kapalaran ni Virgin Mario (The Fate of Virgin Mario) by Ogi Sugatan; Ambulancia (Ambulance) by Richard Legaspi; Manyika (Doll) by John Wong; Dead Letter by Grace Orbon; Lababo (Kitchen Sink) by Seymour Barros Sanchez; and Walong Linggo (8 Sundays) also by Anna Isabelle Matutina.

PUWANG (2006)

by Anna Isabelle Matutina
Short Narrative / Colour / 25 min / Philippines
2007 Official Selection: Lyon Asian Film Festival, France
2006 Finalist: Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
2006 Exhibition Film: Cinemanila International Film Festival