A film featuring a Muslim community in the Philippines is part of the ongoing 2020 ASEAN Film Week in Vietnam.
Directed by Sheron Dayoc, “Women of the Weeping River” revolves around two women in a remote Muslim community who confront each other in an escalating blood feud and reach deep into themselves in hopes to undo the feud stretching back generations.
Tausug was used in the entire movie which featured non-actors including Laila Ulao, Sharifa Pearlsia Ali-Dans, Taha Daranda, Mariam Zimadar Haji, and Caranay Raper.
“The Ministry of Culture of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Cinema Department opened the first day of its ASEAN Film Week 2020 held in Ha Noi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City from 18-26 July 2020, as part of Viet Nam’s ASEAN Chairmanship activities this year which is organized with the theme, ‘ASEAN Cohesion and Proactive Adaptation,’“ a statement from the Ministry of culture of Vietnam read.
“In partial fulfillment of the Philippines’ commitment to raise ASEAN awareness and promote the ASEAN identity, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) receptively supported its National Committee on Cinema’s nominated film, 'Women of the Weeping River'– an acclaimed 2016 production of TBA Studios, written and directed by Mr. Sheron Dayoc, as the country’s official entry to the festival.”
“Women of the Weeping River” was one of the entries to the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival. The movie won best picture, best actress and best supporting actor trophies.