MANILA, Philippines – Sunshine, directed by Antoinette Jadaone and starring Maris Racal, won the prestigious Crystal Bear for Best Film in the Generation 14plus section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on Saturday, February 22 (Philippine time).
The Generation 14plus Youth Jury awards the Crystal Bear for outstanding storytelling about the experiences and perspectives of the youth.
In August last year, Jadaone’s Sunshine had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it was featured in the Centrepiece program alongside films from 41 countries. It was the only film from the Philippines in the lineup.
In January, Sunshine made its US premiere as an official selection at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) under the World Cinema Now section.
Produced by ANIMA and Project 8 Projects (the Manila-based studio founded by Jadaone and her husband Dan Villegas), Sunshine delves into the complex and taboo topic of young women’s reproductive rights in the Philippines.
Starring Racal, Annika Co, Jennica Garcia, Elijah Canlas, Meryll Soriano, and Xyriel Manabat, Sunshine follows the story of a young gymnast who, in the middle of national team tryouts, finds out she is pregnant. While acquiring illegal abortion drugs, the gymnast comes across a girl who talks and thinks like her.
“Sunshine represents the hundreds and thousands of girls who became pregnant in their teens,” Jadaone said during a previous interview with American outlet Deadline.
“These topics have always been taboo in the Philippines because of our deeply conservative roots, but when cases of teenage pregnancy and self-induced abortions rise every year, it is imperative that these stories be told.”
The Generation 14plus Youth Jury also awarded Special Mentions to Playtime (Hora do Recreio) by Lucia Murat and Sunset over America (Atardecer en América) by Matías Rojas Valencia. The Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film was given to Wish You Were Ear by Mirjana Balogh.
The Generation International Jury’s Grand Prix for Best Film in Generation 14plus was awarded to Christy by Brendan Canty.
The Berlinale is one of the world’s largest public film festivals, based in Berlin, Germany. It is running from February 13 to 23. – Rappler.com