15 minutes to watch a man's entire life crack open.
A Filipino immigrant struggles to maintain his façade of success in Vancouver when his family in Manila asks for a hard favour.
Acting
Escobal's face does what dialogue can't — crushing.
Direction
Donguines packs a feature's worth of shame into 15 tight minutes.
Director
Kent Donguines
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title character's name references the Filipino concept of 'hiya' — a complex shame tied to social standing and family reputation.
Director Donguines based this on real conversations with Filipino Canadians in Vancouver's 'Little Manila' on Commercial Drive.
US
