Main Cast: Jomari Yllana, Elizabeth Oropesa, Chin Chin Gutierrez, Rolando Tinio, Pen Medina
Release Year: 1998
Country: PH
Run Time: 113 minutes
Plot
The Philippines' most cerebral filmmaker, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, ventures into the realm of instinct and emotion in this unusual story about a male midwife. In a remote fishing village during the American occupation, young Pepito grows up with no choice but to learn the trade of his mother, despite obvious embarrassment and prejudices. The real test of maturity comes when he ventures from the island (the nest, the navel) to the mainland (the real world). The script, which won the prestigious literary award Palanca, relies heavily on first-person narration to give the film a lyrical tone which, at times, lets the narration do the work of telling the story. However, Diaz-Abaya manages to get outstanding performances from her actors with her economical, understated direction. Despite its rather slow pace, In the Navel of the Sea is an important film for the career of Diaz-Abaya, reflecting her determination to seek the challenge of new directions. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
Cast
Jomari Yllana - Pepito
Elizabeth Oropesa - Rosa
Chin Chin Gutierrez - Mrs. Santiago
Rolando Tinio - Apo
Pen Medina - Gusting
Mia Gutierrez - Ta-le; Ronnie Cazaro - Berto; Manjo del Mundo - Mr. Santiago; Lawrence Dilag - Pepito as a child; Apple Zuniga - Maya
Credit
Tanny Perez - Art Director, Manny Santos - Costume Designer, Bhey Vito - First Assistant Director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya - Director, Jess Navarro - Editor, Soc Jose - Executive Producer, Warlito Teodoro - Executive Producer, Greg de Guzman - Line Producer, Nonong Buencamino - Composer (Music Score), Len Santos - Production Designer, Romeo Vitug - Cinematographer, Marilou Diaz-Abaya - Producer, Jimmy Duavit - Producer, Butch Jiminez - Producer, Ramon Reyes - Sound/Sound Designer, Jun Lana - Screenwriter
In a remote fishing island in the 50's, Pepito (Jomari Yllana) grows up learning the trade of his mother, Rosa (Elizabeth Oropesa), the only midwife capable of delivering the newborn babies of their community. At first, the young son doesn't mind the unusual arrangement, but as he grows older, he begins to resist the role traditionally meant only for women.
In time, Pepito's coming of age intersects with the lives of other islanders whose beliefs and struggles become critical impetus to his maturity. Eventually, embarrassment and prejudices were overcame by acceptance and love between mother and son.
Awards and nominations
The film received nominations and awards from different local award-giving bodies. It got two Star Awards in 1999 for Cinematographer of the Year (Romeo Vitug) and Original Screenplay of the Year (Jun Lana).
The movie had received invitations from 17 prestigious film festivals abroad, an unprecedented achievement in the history of Philippine cinema.
"Sa Pusod Ng Dagat" is the country's official entry to the Singapore International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Hong Kong Film Festival, Fukuoka International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival and Oslo Film Festival. It is an entry to the film festivals in London, Cairo, Bombay, Barcelona, Haifa and New York.
The movie also made it to the Chicago International Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival, Nantes Festival of Free Continent and Chicago Film Festival. It was also the Philippine entry for Best Foreign Language Film in the Oscars.
