All you need to know about 'As The Moth Flies'

 Creative Kartel, in association with Desi Matters and Happy Manila, proudly presents “AS THE MOTH FLIES,” a timely short film about mental illness, helmed by young and maverick filmmaker Gayle Oblea.

 After participating in various international film festivals in Europe and US, “As The Moth Flies” is making its Asian Premiere in the Philippines as it competes in SINAG MAYNILA Independent Film Festival 2024 (short film category), slated from Sept. 4 to 8, 2024 in Gateway, SM Manila, and other cinemas in Metro Manila.

The film has been screened at Brussels Short Film Festival (Belgium), recognized as one of the most prestigious film festivals for short films, and is part of the 169 Oscar-qualifying festivals in the world.

 

It also participated in Little Venice Film Festival (Italy), Greenwich Film Festival (London), and Urban Dreams Festival (New York, USA).  Hence, Director Gayle is excited to finally showcase her second short film in her homeland.

 

“As the director of ‘As The Moth Flies’, I am deeply honored and thrilled to bring the film to its Asian premiere in the Philippines, where the story’s roots resonate most profoundly.

 

“After its journey through festivals across Europe and the United States, having this homecoming is not just a milestone but a full-circle moment.  This screening is significant not only because it returns to where the narrative was born, but because it carries the mission of the film:  to open a window into the mind of someone living with mental illness.

 

“The aim has always been to go beyond observation, allowing audiences to experience — if only for a moment— the weight, discomfort, and complexities faced by those who struggle silently.

 

“By holding this premiere in Manila, we hope to break the silence and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health, using empathy as a bridge to understanding,” says Director Gayle.

 

The 15-minute short film stars seasoned actor Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon (as Dr. Oliver Sanchez, the psychiatrist), Mina Cruz (as Tonette, the wife), and Boo Gabunada (as Jett, the husband), along with Pam Arambulo.

 STORY PLOT:

 

A woman tries to assess her mentally ill partner and their turbulent relationship, only to unravel haunting truths about their unsettling past.

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

During their visit to the psychiatrist, Tonette was asked to evaluate her mentally ill partner, Jett, and their relationship through the years. By doing so, she unexpectedly uncovers the truth about their dark eerie past.

 

“This short film was originally written as a limited series, with a ready script for eight episodes during the pandemic.  

 

“The production decided to create a short film out of this, to be able spread their advocacy and potentially find an OTT platform and partners to help fund the said limited series,” quips the lady filmmaker who dreams of making a mark of her own in the movie industry.

 

PRODUCTION STAFF:

 

Director is Gayle Oblea, screenplay by M.B. Garcia, cinematography by Fabs Fababier, assistant director is Dana Delos Reyes, production manager is Gabriel Santos, editing by Gayle Oblea and Noah Del Rosario, music by Kelvin Aydalla and Jairo Del Rosario

 

Associate producer is RS Magtaan, executive producers are Rav Singh and Happy Manila.

 

DIRECTOR’S PROFILE:

 

GAYLE OBLEA is a Filipino director, producer, and writer from Manila. Studied of Film and Production at CIIT College of Arts, her passion for storytelling was shaped by her childhood and the artistic influence of her father, a Filipino painter, Antonio Bernardo Garcia. Her debut short film, “Blush,” earned eight awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay at the local film festival, SineSiklab.

 

Her second short film, “As The Moth Flies,” was recognized at prestigious international film festivals including Brussels Film Festival. Currently, Oblea leads Creative Kartel, a Manila-based film production company, and is currently working on “Pag-Ani,” her feature directorial debut.

 

ACTORS’ PROFILES:

 

JEFFREY “EPY” QUIZON

 

Epy Quizon is a Filipino award-winning actor, producer, and filmmaker. He has received several accolades including Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Markova: Comfort Gay” at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2000, as well as Best Director, Best Producer and an Outstanding Achievement Awardee for a First-Time Director for his short film, “Bukal,” in several film festivals.

 

Quizon began his acting career in 1990 and has since made a breakthrough in the Philippine film industry. His most notable roles were from “Lastikman,” “Heneral Luna,” “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,” and “Pinoy Sunday.”

 

MINA CRUZ

 

Mina Cruz is an actor and filmmaker from Bulacan. She started The DistantPlay Project, a platform for actors to continue practicing during the Covid-19 lockdowns and depict the plight of Filipinos during the pandemic, that received a story fellowship grant from Better Engagement Between East and South East Asia in 2021. Cruz is a SEAPitch 2021 participant and Busan Asian Film School 2022 fellow.

 

BOO GABUNADA

 

Boo Gabunada is a Filipino musical artist and film actor who rose to fame after his lead role in the play, “Mula sa Buwan.”  Since then, he has taken part in other notable stage play productions in the Philippines such as “Dekada 70” and “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”  He made his film debut in “Baka Siguro Yata” in 2015 and is also known for his supporting roles in “Sila Sila” (2019) and “The Dust In Your Place” (2021).

 

PAM ARAMBULO

 

Pam Arambulo is a Filipino actress from Sta. Rosa, Laguna. She started working at an early age as a fashion model abroad, but later found a passion for acting. Since then, Arambulo has starred

in numerous teleseryes for different networks as well as in notable independent and short films including “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,” “My Father Goes To Court,” and “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers.” Currently, she actively appears in commercials in the Philippines and Thailand.