This screwball queer tragicomedy from the Philippines stars a cast of real-life typhoon survivors.
This screwball tragicomedy stars a cast of real-life survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda, focusing on the adventures of Jaya, a non-binary schoolteacher and comedian. Picking up the pieces in their life, Jaya decides to travel across the Philippines in the hopes of winning a drag beauty pageant. But a chance encounter with bereaved student Arnel complicates their plans, and as they head on a journey together, the unlikely duo find themselves forever changed by the people and places they encounter.
Featuring outstanding performances from its non-professional cast, Seán Devlin’s unconventional road movie is a riotously funny crowd-pleaser: both an empowering queer fairytale and a profound, politically-charged ode to the power of solidarity in the face of tragedy.
This screening will feature a recorded introduction from the film’s protagonist, Jaya.
Queer East—Screened as part of Queer East On the Road 2024, a nationwide touring season taking place from September to December in 15 cities across the UK. Queer East is a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.
- Director: Seán Devlin
- Language: Tagalog with English subtitles
