Reality of pandemic-hit migrant workers showcased in film garners attention worldwide

A locally produced short film that showcases the reality of migrant workers is hitting close to home, with the project’s actors portraying the experiences well.

“Last Day Off” shows how a significant number of workers have been affected by the pandemic in their own ways – particularly as foreigners in a city where limited support is available.

Produced by Click PH Production, the passion project has received global recognition and acceptance to numerous short-film festivals. 

Currently, the locally produced film is an Official Selection at New York’s International Film Festival Manhattan 2022, India’s Mumba Short Film Festival 2022, UK’s Lift Off Filmmaker Sessions Film Festival 2022, South Africa’s Ekurhuleni International Film Festival 2022, Rainforest Indie Film Festival 2022 and in the upcoming Macau International Short Film Festival.

The short film is also an Official Selection in Italy’s Roma Short Film Festival 2022 where the film’s director Mark Justine Aguillon recently won Best Director award.

“The story was initially supposed to be along the lines of what would happen if an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) left Macau for good, having saved enough amount money to start afresh back home,” explained Aguillon to the Times. 

“However, the story was reversed to: what if an OFW goes back home due to the economic fallout caused by the pandemic, leading to job losses.”

Nearly a year in the making, Aguillon has integrated real-life stories portrayed by four characters at a time when financial struggles and hardship were looming in the lives of many workers.

The 30-minute film tells a story of four OFWs, each with different personalities and issues, alongside a landlady who serves as their source of guidance. All become family as they share their personal struggles caused by the pandemic.

“It is in that house where stories of grief, anxiety, loss and hope were shared,” the director said.

Aguillon was seated in a barber’s chair when he decided on one of the characters after hearing a story of a woman who had been on unpaid leave for several weeks, struggling to make ends meet in a city with a high-cost of living.

With no one to turn to, the real-life inspiration for this character engaged in sexual activity for money.

“The struggles of each individual had gotten to that point where that act was needed for them to keep up with daily expenses amid lockdown,” the director lamented.

“I wanted to share the reality of different individuals who have each developed their own coping mechanisms, such as creating content for Tiktok just to try to overcome the anxiety, depression and hardship they were facing,” Aguillon added. 

Another real-life story was a couple who were using Macau as a stepping stone to migrate to Canada – a move that several dozens of Filipinos in Macau have undertaken during the pandemic.

Canada has become an attractive location for migrant Filipino workers in the city as they can bring their families with them easily, unlike in Macau where it is nearly impossible for blue-card holders.

“Last Day Off” was shot from August to October 2021, followed by nearly a year of editing.

The film was shot amid the pandemic crisis the city faced following new cases that were discovered in August 2021, which led to mass testing.

With Macau adhering to Beijing’s zero-Covid policy, the city imposes lockdowns and mass testing if new cases are discovered, to deter the spread of the virus.

Due to these restrictions, shooting of the film faced delays as crew were required to comply with government pandemic measures. 

“Alongside acquiring permits to shoot in public places, the films Click PH Production produces come from the members’ own pockets,” said Aguillon. 

Click PH Production was formed by Aguillon in 2017, alongside three members. Currently, the group has some 45 members.

Last Day Off director Mark Justine Aguillon (center)

No man is an island 

Participants of the film have expressed to the Times how being part of a community matters to individuals residing in a foreign land.

Macau is currently home to some 27,000 OFWs, a figure that had already plunged due to contracts that were not renewed due to business downturns.

Recent data from the Philippine Consulate General shows that its government has repatriated a total of 6,730 Filipinos over 32 flights since the onset of pandemic in early 2020. 

“It’s important as an OFW to be part of a community. You cannot survive alone, and I think that is one of the great lessons the film has portrayed. Everything feels better when you belong to a community,” said Rez Rosal, one of the members of the group.

Questioned as to what the film tries to relay to its viewers, Eleazera Gabriel, one of the producers, remarked, “It’s in this film that I came to deeply realize that nothing is permanent, so we should enjoy what we have now.”

“The film also tells a lot about how several people are going through the same struggles and it is comforting to know that you are not alone,” said a cast member, Mary Joy Moises.

Meanwhile, the character who played the landlady, Efleda Mendoza, said that the character also hits close to home as she is one of the leaders of a Filipino religious group.

“I knew their struggles and they are real. I have been a part of people’s struggles and growth, so playing the role hits close to home. Without the faith that we have, it is difficult to keep up with the life we’re living, especially now,” she said.

Echoing the same sentiments, another cast member, Michael Fontanoza said, “The film has portrayed a lot of the negative experiences that we face but in the end, we had a common denominator, which is our Christian faith.”