Filipino cinema shines in Berlin

Two Philippine films have been selected for the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, marking another international showing for Filipino cinema. The lineup includes Enjoy Your Stay, which features Mercedes Cabral in her first international lead role, and Raging (Rumaragasa), a Cinemalaya-developed project led and produced by Elijah Canlas.

For Cabral, Berlin marks both a milestone and a leap into unfamiliar emotional terrain. Known for her fearless performances in indie cinema and primetime television, the actress said carrying an international film as its lead came with both pride and pressure.

“Bilang Pilipino, malaking bagay ito sa akin. May pressure, oo, pero mas nangingibabaw yung excitement — kasi ito yung unang pelikula ko sa ibang bansa na ako yung nag-lead (As a Filipino, this means a lot to me. Yes, there is pressure, but the excitement outweighs it — because this is my first film abroad where I am the lead),” Cabral said.

While the Berlinale’s main competition often dominates headlines, Cabral emphasized that the Panorama section carries its own prestige.

“Iba ‘yung Panorama section,” she explained. “May sarili rin siyang awards, at karamihan ng films doon edgy, arthouse — yung mga pelikulang nagtatanong at nanggugulo (The Panorama section is different. It has its own awards, and many of the films there are edgy, arthouse — films that ask questions and unsettle).”

Shot largely in Switzerland, Enjoy Your Stay required a difficult transition for Cabral, who came straight from portraying the intense character Lena in the hit series FPJ’s Batang Quiapo. The shift, she said, proved emotionally taxing.

“‘Yung unang week ko sobrang hirap,” she admitted. “May gabi na umiiyak lang ako. Tinatawagan ko yung agent ko, sinasabi ko ayoko na — kasi emotionally at mentally, ang bigat (My first week was extremely difficult. There were nights when I would just cry. I would call my agent and say I wanted to quit — because emotionally and mentally, it was so heavy.”)

What helped her endure were familiar faces on set. Working alongside fellow Filipino actresses Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, and Honeylyn Alipio gave Cabral a sense of grounding far from home, allowing her to push through the role’s demands.

Meanwhile, Raging (Rumaragasa) continues Elijah Canlas’ remarkable Berlinale streak—though this time, he will be watching from afar. Due to the overlapping run of his stage project About Us But Not About Us, Canlas will miss the Berlin festivities, a bittersweet development that did little to diminish the moment.

“Napaiyak talaga ako (I really cried),” he said upon learning of the film’s inclusion.

Canlas wears multiple hats in Raging — not only as lead actor but also as producer, with his brother involved in the film’s production. For the young actor, the recognition feels surreal, coming just a year after he attended Berlinale with Sunshine, directed by Tonet Jadaone.

“Sinasabi ko nga, ‘pangarap lang ’to,’” he reflected. “Kahit maliit lang yung role ko sa Sunshine, makakarating ako sa Berlin. Tapos ngayon, second year in a row — lead na ako, producer pa (I kept saying, ‘This is just a dream.’ Even with a small role in Sunshine, I made it to Berlin. Now, it’s my second year in a row — and I’m already a lead and a producer).”

The validation, he added, carries extra weight because of where it comes from.

“Grabe na ma-appreciate yung gawa mo sa ibang bansa, lalo na sa Berlinale,” Canlas said. “Isa ’yan sa Big Three film festivals sa buong mundo (It’s overwhelming to have your work appreciated abroad, especially at the Berlinale. It’s one of the Big Three film festivals in the world).”

Known for championing low-budget films that tackle urgent social questions, the Panorama section has long served as a platform for bold, conversation-starting cinema. With Enjoy Your Stay and Raging, Filipino filmmakers once again show that local stories — told with honesty and courage — can resonate far beyond national borders.

From soundstages in Manila to screens in Berlin, Philippine cinema continues its steady, unmistakable rise.