Laila Ulao gives Mindanao conflict a woman’s perspective
Women of the Weeping River, one of the most critically acclaimed Filipino films of 2017, gets its much-deserved theatrical release this month in time for the National Women’s Month. With its release, the movie-going public will finally have the chance to see one of the most riveting performances to come out in Philippine cinema in recent years from breakout star Laila Ulao.
Directed by Sheron Dayoc, the film tells the story of a family in a remote Muslim community engaged in a blood feud that stretches back generations. At the center of the story is Satra, played by Ulao, a young woman who has lost her loved ones because of the conflict. She is faced with the choice to go against the wishes of her family in the hopes of stopping the feud that has been going on for several years. Set in Jolo, Sulu, Women of the Weeping River is about “the cycle of violence in Mindanao, but (told) from the women’s perspective.”
This makes Ulao the perfect fit for the film, which is shot entirely in Tausug and features an all-Muslim cast of non-actors. The 27-year-old actress was a community nurse promoting reproductive health for a non-government organization when she started acting.
Ulao auditioned for the role of Satra, despite having no professional experience in acting, because she wants to be “a tool in promoting peace.” She also wants a hand in giving the conflict in Mindanao a woman’s perspective. According to Dayoc, the blood feud — also locally known as the rido —is “a deeply rooted culture of violence” that is considered a “battle of men, awayan
talaga ng mga lalaki.” Yet, it is often the women who are left at home to shoulder the losses caused by the feud. With that in mind, Dayoc knew he needed to tell a story of how women viewed this unending conflict. Women of the Weeping River is Ulao’s first movie. “The movie is a big chance for us (in Mindanao) to tell our story, yung story ng mga kababaihan sa Moro conflict, ano ba yung nagagawa namin,” she said. “When I worked for the NGO, I told myself that I would have that chance one day to share our story. And here it is.”
Ulao, like Satra, experienced firsthand how it felt to lose a loved one over senseless violence. “My father was shot to death,” she shared. “I was so mad, my brother and I were so furious and angry. Gusto namin ng vengeance.” But Ulao realized that “wanting vengeance is not good, not healthy, my hatred is slowly destroying me. But with the help of Allah, I was able to overcome the anger, I started to remove all of the hatred in my heart and I’m slowly recovering my inner peace. I know justice will prevail.”
Ulao was able to tap into her personal experience for the movie. “Pinag-isa ko talaga sina Laila at Satra,” she said. Dayoc saw raw talent and strength in Ulao that made her fit for the role of Satra. “More than acting the character, she’s living the character. She lives and breathes the character in the film kaya mapapansin talaga yung kanyang rawness and sincerity,” he said.
Ulao’s portrayal of Satra is one of most lauded performances in local cinema in recent years. She won Best Actress at the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival, the Young Critics Circle and the first Asean-China Film Festival in Malaysia.
The film itself was named Best Picture at the 2016 Qcinema International Film Festival, the 2017 Young Critics Circle and the 40th Gawad Urian. It also won the Fasken Martineau Award for Best Feature Film at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival in Canada.
But beyond the awards, Ulao said what’s more important is how the film gives moviegoers the chance to understand the Mindanao conflict from a different perspective. “There’s more to us than just the war and the rebels; we also have our very own conflict that needs to be resolved first.”
She added, “I’m excited for people to see Women of the Weeping River para maintindihan nila kaming mga Moro, for them to know the real story, and kung ano ang role ng kababaihan sa Moro conflict. Kahit mapaisip lang sila ng konti about the situation in Mindanao, for me that’s already a huge step towards promoting peace.”
“I hope it shows to moviegoers all over the country that Mindanao is not just about war. Mindanao is also about humanity. The people of Mindanao, especially those affected in conflict areas, are people with dreams and aspirations,” Dayoc said.
Produced by TBA Studios, Women of the Weeping River opens March 23 at the SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Fairview, SM Southmall and SM Bacoor at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. as part of Cine Lokal. It is also slated to have an art-house theatrical release in the US starting in April to be followed by regional screenings nationwide.
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