THE LEAVING
BY IAN-DEAN S. LOREÑOS
The New Breed Category: Finalist, Full Length Feature
2010 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition

SYNOPSIS

There is always a constant transcience in this world. This is the premise of “THE LEAVING (離別)”, sets in a neo-Chinatown in Manila where the “Tsinoys” (Filipino-Chinese) struggle with the diminishing of their morals and culture. We follow three intertwining stories (MARTIN, The LOVERS, WIFE) that leave elements on the other stories such that they are all connected.
“THE LEAVING: MARTIN”

MARTIN watches the chinatown surrounding at night

MARTIN stops at temple before leaving, meets ODD MAN

UnKNOWN GIRL stares at MARTIN

MARTIN is living independently when he suddenly got laid off from his job, he’s  now caught up in a situation of uncertainty. MARTIN later decides to leave the country and work abroad.  He tries to visit the places as he collects memories of his past to find answers.   But the sudden strange encounters during the CHINESE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL(中元節) gives him something more than what he’s asking for.

“THE LEAVING: LOVERS”

JOAN waits in vain for WILLIAM

WILLIAM dances with JOAN

A TSINOY businessman, WILLIAM is already married but finds his happiness with JOAN, a charming, nomadic bachelorette office worker. But the uncertainty in their relationship causes JOAN to decide to leave the country to start a new life on her own. But as JOAN is about to leave, her departure is halted and results in an unexpected event.

“THE LEAVING: WIFE”

GRACE buying some stuff on Carvajal market

WILLIAM accidentally hits GRACE

A typical conservative Filipina-Chinese housewife, GRACE moves in the apartment building with her husband in same building where MARTIN lives. Neglected and unappreciated, GRACE finds comfort through his neighbor MARTIN but their relationship is fenced by their present circumstances. GRACE finds out her husband is cheating on her…then a sudden haunting later on unravels a horrifying secret.
All beings exist to find permanence in this world. But it seems to be the most grounded are the ones do not really exist at all…

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE

ianlorenos

IAN-DEAN S. LOREÑOS is a graphic artist/producer/writer/filmmaker.  He was born and raised in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown community, in the areas of Tondo and Binondo. He studied and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce majoring in Marketing and also gained his second  degree in Management both in Chiang Kai Shek College.  His interests for filmmaking started way back in College when he got involved in filmmaking and photography workshops in the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) and in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) during the summer breaks. He also did several collaboration short films with his sister also a fellow filmmaker Kat Loreños that have won several awards.  His passion for film grew, and after graduating College he pursued filmmaking. He started to write his first screenplay “The Leaving（離別）” which gained instant recognition when Ian was selected as one of the Filipinos to participate in the 5th Berlinale Talent Campus in 2007 in Berlin, Germany. The experience in Berlin inspired him to continue on being an independent filmmaker. In the 2009 Cinemanila International Film Festival Machinima Category, Ian Loreños won the Audience Award for his Machinima music video “Worship the Will”. Because of his deep attachment to his roots, Ian Loreños will continue on creating stories and films that are centered in his Filipino-Chinese culture.  He is currently working on his next screenplay, a black comedy that revolves around the crimes in Chinatown, Manila.

Production Companies: Anakim Media Productions, co-produced by DigiTank Studios and Bigtop Media Prod.
Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Ian Loreños
Assistant Director/Producer: Kat Loreños
Co-producer: Franco Alido
Line Producer/ Prod. Manager: Bianca Balbuena
Assoc. Producer/Loc. Manager: Margery Lao, Daphne Chiu
Editor: Kats Serraon
Director of Photography: Rommel Andreo Sales Jr.
Production Designer: Syrel Lopez & Ivan Zaldarriaga
Spec. Costume Design/Art Direction: Kel Sampayan
Art Director: James dela Vega
Sound Designer: Mark Laacay
Cast: Alwyn Uytingco(Martin), LJ Reyes (Grace), LJ Moreno (Joan), Arnold Reyes (William), Garry Lim (Guard), Fonz Desa (Odd Man), Miaka Lao (Unknown Girl), Menchu Sintay (Ghost Woman), Ronnie Martinez (Ghost Man), Acey Aguilar (Erwin/Martin’s friend), Margery Lao (Crazy Neighbor), Mark Lloyd Lao (Topless Guy/Family Man in Restaurant), Helen Benoza (Grace’s Mom), Timothy Tuazon (Joan’s Boss)

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