The Filipino action drama Across The Crescent Moon, written and directed by filmmaker Baby Nebrida, made its international debut at the Honolulu Filipino Film Festival on June 9 at the Doris Duke Theater. It was screened again at the same venue on June 15.
Across The Crescent Moon tells the story of a Special Action Force (SAF) agent named Abbas (played by heartthrob Matteo Guidicelli) who investigates a case of human trafficking. Abbas, a Muslim married to a Christian, leaves behind his pregnant wife to fulfill his mission to protect the state.
Across The Crescent Moon features a star-studded ensemble. Apart from Matteo, the cast includes Christopher de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, Gabby Concepcion, Sandy Andolong, Alex Godinez, Joem Bascon, Ivan Carapiet, and Jerico Estregan. It is the first Filipino film with Dolby Atmos sound, the global standard in film audio quality.
“I feel very overwhelmed that our film is well appreciated internationally. I feel so blessed that there’s a hidden Hand guiding us and our film to travel to numerous places overseas,” director Baby Nebrida says of her latest work.
Across The Crescent Moon was the opening film at the Honolulu Filipino Film Festival and is one of eight Filipino films in the filmfest which runs until today. The others are the full-length features Hele sa Hiwagang Hinagpis, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 1, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2, and Ma Rosa, and the documentaries Sunday Beauty Queen, The Sakada Series and Curiosity, Adventure & Love.
In honolulu.org, organizer Honolulu Museum described these films as works that “are unafraid to address political and social issues.” It recognized Across The Crescent Moon for tackling the Philippines’ often overlooked Muslim community. Although the movie is a work of fiction culled from research, Nebrida noted that it is very timely especially in the wake of the conflict in Marawi City. Nebrida declared, “Our film speaks the truth and shows how everyone is horribly affected by criminality and war of all kinds.”
A day after her film premiered at the Honolulu Filmfest, Ndebrida was interviewed on Hawaii Public Radio where she talked about the audience’s response. She said, “It is good that many people have resonated with the message about the need to respect each other’s beliefs and to co-exist peacefully.”