KONO BASHO

KONO BASHO
by JAIME PACENA II

85:00 minutes | Drama | PG

CAST
Gabby Padilla, Arisa Nakano

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – Jaime Pacena II
CINEMATOGRAPHY – Dan Villegas
PRODUCTION DESIGN – Eero Yves Francisco
EDITOR – Marya Ignacio
ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Len Calvo
SOUND – Allen Roy Santos
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – John Bryan Diamante, Jim Baltazar, Dan Villegas, Antoinette Jadaone, Reign Anne De Guzman
PRODUCERS – Masumi Soga, Jaime Pacena II, Leoby Marquez, Dan Villegas
LINE PRODUCER – Catsi Catalan
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Angel Tomas, Tomoyuki Nakamura
STYLIST – Zara Loayon

LOGLINE
As two estranged half-sisters reunite at their father’s funeral, they mend their differences, find solace in shared grief, and become instrumental in the city’s ongoing recovery.

SYNOPSIS
Ella, a 28-year-old Filipina anthropologist, travels to Rikuzentakata City for her estranged father Emman’s funeral, where she navigates the cultural and emotional complexities of his second family, including her Japanese half-sister, Reina. As they confront their intertwined histories, Ella and Reina find solace and connection, each reevaluating their perceptions of their father. Their journey of self-discovery intersects with Rikuzentakata’s post- 2011 earthquake and tsunami recovery. Discovering their father’s photographs propels them on a path of rediscovery, exploring their relationships and individual identities. This poignant narrative explores themes of family, loss, identity, and renewal, reflecting deeply on the Filipino diaspora amid a backdrop of historical trauma.

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE

JAIME PACENA II is a versatile creative deeply engaged in curation, visual arts, filmmaking, and education. His visual art works have been exhibited across Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and internationally in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Italy, and Australia. Jaime founded Bliss Market Laboratory (BMLab), fostering cultural exchange among multimedia artists and students. He teaches full-time at Asia Pacific College and curates for CANVAS.PH and Marahuyo Art Projects. He has received grants from Japan Foundation, Manila, and Arts Network Asia Singapore, and participated in the Rikuzentakata Artist-in- Residence program in Japan in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2023. In 2021, he represented the Philippines at Sheffield Doc Fest. He directed his debut feature film, Kono Basho, mentored by directors Dan Villegas and Pam Miras of Project 8 Projects. His directorial work extends to music videos for artists like Gloc-9 (Sirena, Magda, Walang Natira), Kean Cipriano (Eye Contact), Unique (Midnight Sky), Brownman Revival, Mimiyuuuh, Keniniah, and Pappel. His experimental video [K]Ahon was a finalist in the Gawad Alternatibo 2022 Experimental Video category.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

“Kono Basho” or This Place (Displace), is a deeply personal exploration of loss and rebirth, inspired by my decade-long experience as a visual artist and curator in Tohoku, Japan. Witnessing the profound impact of tragedy, this film draws inspiration from my research and immersion in Rikuzentakata, a city devastated by the March 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Incorporating 13 years of my own archived photographs and videos in Japan, this treatment highlights key ideas about remnants and memories. These archives serve as a poignant backdrop to a story about sisterhood, contrasting the cultural and emotional differences between two main characters: one raised in the Philippines and the other in Japan. Through their perspectives, the film examines the essence of family and Filipino identity—a theme deeply significant to me as both writer and director. Kono Basho speaks to enduring themes of loss and renewal, grief and acceptance, and the power of tragedy to inspire change and growth, centered around the story of two sisters. I dedicate this story to my three elder sisters, who have profoundly shaped my understanding of the importance of family. Their unwavering support and the bond we share have been a source of strength and inspiration for me. This film is a tribute to them and their influence is woven into some aspects of this story, highlighting the irreplaceable role of siblings in shaping who we are and reminding us of the profound impact they have on our lives.