BLANKA

by Kohki Hasei

Italy/Japan/The Philippines 2015, 75 min.

Production: Dorje Film

With: Cydel Gabutero, Peter Millari, Jomar Bisuyo, Raymond Camacho, Ruby Ruiz

Searching for a mother, finding a friend

11-year old Blanka survives alone in Manila begging and stealing from tourists. She dreams of buying a  mom. But she has to make countless efforts in order to collect enough money. An opportunity arises when she meets Peter, a 55-year old blind street musician, who teaches Blanka how to sing. Concerned with Blanka‘s well-being however, Peter decides to take her to an orphanage, something which, when she finds out, makes her run away, and face the dangers of the streets once again.

World Premiere: Venice Biennale College Cinema 2015

Asian Premiere: Busan IFF 2015

Nordic Premiere: Tallinn IFF 2016

Scandinavian Premiere: Göteborg iFF 2016

Awards:

Laterna Magica (CGS) Award, “Sorriso diverso Venezia 2015“ for Best Film in a Foreign Language - Venice IFF 2015

NETPAC Award - Kolkata IFF 2015

Human Values Award - Olympia IFF 2015 for Children and Young People