By Margaret Padilla
––
“Black Rainbow,” a Filipino short film written and directed by Zig Madamba Dulay about a young Aeta boy aspiring to be a lawyer, won the Best Short Film award at the 2022 Harlem International Film Festival in New York, United States.
The 20-minute film, which premiered in August 2021 at the Sine Halaga Film Festival (or the Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. (NCCA) Filipino Values Film Festival), was about an Aeta boy whose reality collides with his dreams as he prepares to graduate from elementary school.
Dulay stated in a recent interview with Inquirer Entertainment, “the fact that it was chosen to be screened in an international festival is already more than enough for me, especially since we’re in the middle of a pandemic and it’s difficult to create films. That’s why winning the award is already a big bonus.”
“Also, it wasn’t just shown to a foreign audience abroad, it was also recognized and awarded for its merits. This means that the story came across successfully, that the situations and experiences of our Aeta brothers were felt and understood by people from different parts of the globe,” he said.
“Black Rainbow,” tells the story of Itan, an Aeta boy who aspires to be a lawyer so that he can protect his community from corporate giants attempting to occupy their ancestral lands for mining purposes. His parents, however, are opposed to him continuing his studies. His father prefers that his son assist him on the farm and in hunting for food for the family.
Later, Itan saw an opportunity to change his life and destiny when he learned about the scholarship being offered by their local government. Still, it was abruptly suspended because he was told that he needed computer knowledge to be eligible for the scholarship. Despite the odds, he tried his hardest to learn using an old keyboard that had been discarded.
The film was shot on location in the majestic mountains of Central Luzon, and the cinematography and story imagery were all stunning. It also exemplified various Filipino values, such as Pamilya, Pagkatao, Edukasyon, Kabuhayan, Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran, Katapatan, Katatagan, Buhay at Tunguhin, Karapatang Pantao, et al.
Dulay implied, “this recognition will serve as a challenge for me to carry on, to continue creating films that don’t just entertain, but also present issues and situations that Filipinos are experiencing every day. The goal is to create representations, as well as give space and voices to marginalized sectors of our society. I consider this award as a dare to make more powerful films that enlighten and liberate the audience.”
Joyce and James Scott, producers of Uncle Scott Global Productions accepted the award on behalf of Dulay.
Meanwhile, Dulay will attend the 2022 Kas International Short Film Festival in Turkey from June 2 to 5, where “Black Rainbow” will compete once more.