Words and Images ARAYA
Editing Gabrielle de la Cruz
“In today’s fragmented media environment, we become atomic viewers, experiencing films alone in curated bubbles,” opens educator Eya Beldia on Voluptuous Surrender, a unique film experience on June 13 at Sine Pop, Cubao, Quezon City. “This program is a reminder of what happens when we sit together in a darkened room and let scenes move us collectively.”
The event is presented by ARAYA, an initiative that fosters dialogue and gathers art in pursuit of equity and healing, intertwining soul, body, and spirit.
“In the age of streaming platforms and on-demand content, watching movies in cinema houses has seen a significant decline. With endless choices available at our fingertips and a simple tap on the screen, the public has grown accustomed to watching from the comfort of home, on smaller screens, and in isolated settings,” ARAYA shares. “This shift transformed our viewing habits away from the rich, communal experience that once defined film-going culture.”
Voluptuous Surrender attempts to bring back this sense of togetherness. Reigniting the lost sense of cinematic experiences, this unique film program gathers an international lineup of experimental short films from filmmakers based in the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Denmark, and the United States.
The lineup is formed by: Edge Dance by Yoochae Hwang (South Korea), Terrarium by Robyn Victa (Philippines), Why isn’t it a straight line? by Waritsara Jirattitijaroen (Thailand), Blurry Memory/Memori Buram by Made Virgie Avianthy (Indonesia), Read-only Memory by Kristine Camille Sulit & David R. Corpuz (Philippines), POEM OF POEMS TITLE FOR DAYS OF THE WEEK by Liv Glascock, Neely Goniodsky, jade hawk, Alexander Kirshenbaum, Bea Mariano, Margot Murvihill, Natalee Ryan, Rana San, Hana Shiozaki, Ariana Simpson, Paul Siple, Chelsea-Werner-Jatzke with poetry by Dao Strom (United States), and Vox Pythia by Nanna Gro Henningsen (Denmark).
Themes such as grief, existence, capitalism, and the afterlife will be explored throughout the showcase, all told through diverse cultural lenses. Guests will also be invited to ask questions and share their thoughts at a post-screening discussion.
Voluptuous Surrender is part of the programming of the RESBAK artists collective together with Imaginal Soup. It is a call to a collective experience of the Filipino viewer, an invitation to return to the theater, and an opportunity to form cultural connections through film appreciation and conversations. •
Voluptuous Surrender is happening on June 13, Friday, 8:00 PM at Sine Pop, Cubao, Quezon City, with a contribute-what-you-can fee. For inquiries or more information about the film screening, visit @arayaspaces on Instagram or email THE TEAM AT ARAYA araya.co.ph@gmail.com.
