NMI-filmed movie is accepted into LA Film Festival

The cast and crew of We Drank Our Tears gather for a group photo at one of their recent film shoots.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF D&R VISUALS)

The movie We Drank Our Tears: Rafael Mafnas’s Story has been accepted into the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, or the LAAPFF, and that it has just wrapped up shooting three more films in the series.

Mount Carmel School learned about the entry of Rafael Mafnas’ Story into the LAAPFF from the festival’s senior film festival programmer and operations director, Eseel Borlasa.

“We are excited by the inclusion of your production, and trust that it will find a warm and captive audience here,” said Borlasa in the notification letter.

The film, which also won Best of Festival at the 2018 Guam International Film Festival, was directed by MCS seniors Angelo Manese and Justin Ocampo.

“It’s one thing to have our island of Saipan appreciate our film, but it’s definitely another thing for our story to be shown to a larger audience,” said Manese.

Ocampo agreed. “It’s a distinct honor to have Rafael’s story be told to others through this platform. I hope that his story inspires others the way his story has inspired us.”

MCS president Galvin Deleon Guerrero, who was also a producer for the film, said this only proves that CNMI students “have the talent, the skill, and the passion to tell compelling stories about our islands.”

Deleon Guerrero also acknowledged that the entry of the film into the LAAPFF speaks to the resilience of the people of the Marianas, especially in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yutu. “If it’s one thing we’ve learned by telling these stories, it is that, with hope and faith and determination, we can survive any tragedy, whether they be world wars or super typhoons. This honor reinforces that underlying message.”

Established in 1983, the LAAPFF is the largest film festival in Southern California dedicated to showcasing films by and about Asians & Pacific Islanders around the world.

MCS also just wrapped up shooting three more films in the We Drank Our Tears series, with three new film directors, all veterans of the school’s Theatre Club.

AlumKnight and Theatre Club co-adviser Aysia Adele Duenas Santos, directed Sister Antonieta Cepeda Ada’s Story; William Blake Deleon Guerrero directed Carmen Cabrera Acosta’s Story; and Quincy Chinen directed Rosa Reyes Agulto’s Story.

For Santos, telling Sr. Ada’s story has personal meaning. “To have personally met her and now to have her story turned into a film is such an honor. Not many people know about our history and I’m very glad I was chosen to tell such a powerful story.”

Deleon Guerrero feels equally humbled to tell the story of Carmen Acosta. “I felt honored having the opportunity to tell a story, especially one from my island. It was definitely a new experience, but it was one that allowed me to express myself in ways I only dreamed of.” He was also thankful to the cast and crew for their contributions to the film. “I’m glad to have my friends help me accomplish a lifelong dream.”

While normally behind the camera or backstage as a manager, telling the story of Rosa Agulto is Chinen’s directorial debut. “Directing was a new experience for me.” However, Chinen appreciated the opportunity to step up as a director. “It was a privilege to work with such a talented group of people to tell a story that, I believed, will teach future generations what families went through in the war.”

The three new films also herald the school’s collaboration with a new creative partner in the series, D&R Visuals and its team of Denton Pangelinan, Rita Indalecio, and Carlo Domingo.

An up-and-coming video and photo production studio on Saipan, D&R Visuals will premiere its first narrative film, Remember Me, on Memorial Day this year. It tells the story of two friends who were deployed to combat and return to face the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder. (PR)