Meet the man behind the award-winning, animated Filipino film ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’
We spoke with ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ director Carl Joseph Papa before the film’s historic win about the award-winning animation’s inception and process | Photo from Project 8 Projects/Instagram
Note: This article will discuss potentially triggering content and sensitive topics including childhood trauma, death, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Filipino cinema is more varied than most of us think. For Filipinos living abroad, the type of media that’s popular is usually what’s either trending online or what our families have brought over from home. Cinemalaya is an annual independent film festival that showcases the best and brightest talents from the Philippines.
“Iti Mapukpukaw” is the winner of this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival. The hallmark film is a first for the film festival, being both the winner and only full-length animated feature on the roster.
Sadly, it isn’t up on streaming sites but the story, talent, and themes featured in the film deserve to be praised and uplifted to an international audience.
The film is about an animator working a normal job, with a loving mom and a guy he likes. The catch is, the animator doesn’t have a mouth. After the death of his uncle, he experiences alien abductions that put a damper on his relationships. Shot in rotoscope, the film features the talents of internationally acclaimed actress Dolly de Leon, matinee idol-turned-big screen star Carlo Aquino, and multi-awarded theater actor and choreographer Gio Gahol.
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Though the film is an animated feature, it’s not for young children. “Iti Mapukpukaw” discusses mature themes like death, childhood sexual assault, trauma, and child abuse. While the featured themes are heavy, the film’s core messages are still about reclamation of self, understanding, and true love that crosses familial and romantic borders.
We caught up with director Carl Joseph Papa before the film’s historic win and gleaned some insights about the process behind the movie.
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Can you tell us how “Iti Mapukpukaw” was first conceived and how it differs from the film we see today?
I started writing the story of ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ after hearing bad news in 2019. I had a draft of the script around late 2019. The story back then was in essence almost the same, but there are some parts that are different. The earlier drafts were more adult and angrier, I guess. But I did not stop writing it back then, I continued to allot time to make it better.
The film tackles some pretty intense themes. What was the process like when you were writing it?
In a just and kind world, this story, this movie would not have existed. It was a coping mechanism for me so in a way it became an outlet. It was not easy to write down, but there was a constant internal nudge in me that kept me going. The story of Eric had to be told.
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Were the themes of love and reclaiming yourself already what you had in mind before writing the script?
Love and rebuilding yourself were always there even when the story was angrier in its early versions. The story had to be told with sincerity. And with that comes love. Love brings understanding and empathy.
When writing the script, did you write it as a live-action film or an animated movie?
It was always going to be an animated film for me. The story had to be told in such a way that the visuals would complement the mental state of the character, and rotoscope animation would be perfect for that because it has this sense of confusion leading you to question whether things are real or not. As for the 2D hand-drawn animation part, I wanted to present a childhood memory that evokes nostalgia. It would also contrast with the heavier story that was hidden underneath.
Carlo Aquino and Dolly de Leon’s characters speak Ilocano throughout the film. Is there a special connection between yourself and Ilocos?
I have relatives and friends that are from Ilocos. I have always been fascinated with the language and culture.
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Did you have a specific cast in mind when you were writing the script?
The casting for me came after I finished writing the film. While writing, the characters in my head were animated as well.
What was your favorite part of putting the film together?
I loved the interactions with people. I was fortunate to have worked with really passionate professionals, all invested in what the film is trying to convey to the audience. For me that helped a lot because all were putting in time and effort to get things done.
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What was your reaction when you saw the full film for the first time?
Happy because finally it’s done. There was an overwhelming feeling to see our hard work put into screen. Sad, again, because this story should not have existed in the first place. Nervous because after seeing it for the first time, what I was thinking was if the message really came across on screen the way I envisioned it to be.
What do you hope the audience will take away from the film?
I want the film to bring hope to people. To spark a conversation and to bring understanding. That is why we handled the story and made the film with utmost care so we do not lose sight of why we are doing this in the first place.
Do you have anything exciting coming up next?
I’ll be resting for a while. I need to experience life again. That’s where stories and inspirations come from (at least for me).
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