Project 8 and Mentorque come together for Cinemalaya movie about grief and family, ‘Kono Basho’

“To grieve together and safely: sometimes that’s all that matters.” - Merlinda Bobis

Grief comes in waves and sometimes all we want is to curl up and be alone, but we don’t have to be.

Project 8 Projects and Mentorque Productions join forces to create Kono Basho for this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival!

Project 8 Projects graced last year’s fest with Cinemalaya Audience Choice Award Rookie (2023) and Gawad Urian Best Film winner, Iti Mapukpukaw (2023). Beyond the film fest, they also produced well-awarded movies like Never Not Love You (2018), Alone Together (2019), and Fan Girl (2020). As for film production company Mentorque, they have made strides with their box-office hit and critically acclaimed film Mallari (2023), the first Filipino mainstream movie distributed by Warner Brothers.

Bryan Dy, Executive Producer under Mentorque Productions, shares what compelled him to bring this story to life: “What drew me to Kono Basho was the powerful story the director embodies hope in the face of adversity. Witnessing the rebuilding efforts of Rikuzentakata and the community's unwavering spirit is incredibly inspiring. I want audiences to feel the warmth and solace that "Kono Basho" offers.”

With the success of their debut film Mallari, Dy found significance in supporting filmmakers who put heart in every story they make. He says, “it's important for me to continue supporting filmmakers who bring such impactful stories to life, emphasizing the strength of the human spirit.”

With two creative forces combined, Kono Basho magnificently narrates the story of two estranged half sisters, Ella (Gabby Padilla) and Reina (Arisa Nakano), who reunite at their father’s funeral in Rikuzentakata where they end up forging a bond to heal their personal wounds. In the process, Ella, a 28-year-old Filipina Anthropologist, confronts the cultural and emotional complexities entwined with her father's second family, particularly her half-sister, Reina, who was born and raised in Japan. Amidst the intricate layers of their relationship, Ella and Reina find solace and connection as they both strive to reconcile their differing perceptions of their shared father.

The half sisters’ voyage of self-discovery becomes interwoven with the healing of Rikuzentakata, a city profoundly impacted by the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan. Hand in hand, Ella and Reina find ways to carry their heavy anchors amidst the waves, steer the boat through rough family tides, and surface their unresolved traumas that would change their relationship forever.

The movie stars Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya Best Actress nominee Gabby Padilla, who is known for her outstanding roles in Kalel, 15, Billie and Emma, and Gitling. When asked about her experience shooting the film, Gabby says:

“The community we built in Japan while shooting in Rikuzentakata was one of my favorite things about the whole Kono Basho experience. Being able to work with an amazing team in such a magical place was already a gift in itself.”

Padilla gracefully shares the screen with Arisa Nakano, an actress from Japan who is best known for her pivotal role in the Oscar nominated movie Perfect Days. Having lived in Japan, the disaster in Rikuzentakata hit closer to her. She expresses her sentiment and hopes for the Filipino audience seeing this film:

“Having lived through the big natural disaster in Japan, I’ve seen how people’s lives changed because of it. I hope people in the Philippines get a glimpse of that reality through this film.”

Kono Basho is a personal tale made by visual artist, curator, teacher turned filmmaker and director Jaime Pacena II. He draws inspiration from the time he spent in Japan researching and immersing in Rikuzentakata, a city devastated by the 2011 Tsunami. Pacena artistically reflects on his thirteen years worth of archival photographs and videos as remnants and memories, a key theme that can be seen all throughout the movie. “Seeing Rikuzentakata rebuild and reform after the disaster for several years is what drew me in writing Kono Basho. The hope amidst loss and pain is such an inspiration,” Pacena shares.

Marrying his past as a visual artist and curator with his now role as a filmmaker and director, Pacena (along with the talented production team) shot the entire movie in Japan to showcase the cultural and emotional distinctions brought by the characters’ identities.His debut feature film is dedicated to and inspired by Pacena’s three eldest sisters who gave him a profound understanding of the importance of family, and most importantly the role of siblings in shaping who we are becoming. “Kono Basho for me is a warm hug that you might not want that you actually needed,” he continues.

What makes this film even more special is Director Dan Villegas’ comeback as a cinematographer. After focusing on directorial roles that bagged him the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director in 2014, as well as producing movies and TV shows, Villegas comes back to his roots as a Director of Photography to further bring to life the stories of Ella and Reina. Aside from his role as DOP, Villegas also serves as the Executive Producer and Producer of this film under Project 8 Projects.

Beyond the amazing talents, The Japan Foundation also played a big part in painting this story. With the film being shot entirely in Japan, the production team was assisted by the foundation to ensure that the culture and sensibilities of Rikuzentakata, Japan were properly captured and honored.

Kono Basho is a story about family, loss, identity and renewal. It delves deeply into the complex issues surrounding the Filipino diaspora, set against the backdrop of the traumas caused by the March 2011 tsunami, offering a profound reflection on these themes. Grief comes in waves. But you don’t have to ride it alone. Sometimes the people we expect the least to help us are the ones who make it bearable.

Take a trip to Japan with Kono Basho, an official film entry to the yearly awaited Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival – in theaters this August 2024.