Photograph
courtesy La Biennale
Venice: Film
Festival – Sinapupunan (Thy Womb) – Brillante Mendoza. Shaleha Sarail hails from a water-village in
Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi a province of the southern most part of the Philippines. A
woman of mature years, played by Nora Aunor experiencing a third miscarriage,
Shaleha agonizes that she can’t bear a child. Though an adoptive parent to her
nephew, she still feels that her husband Bangas An desires to be a father. To
fulfill her husband’s only wish and to be blessed by Allah as having a child is
a tangible proof of divine grace, Shaleha decides to march to a different
drummer. Her resolve is to find a new partner for her husband. She and her
husband sail islands, floating-villages, and nearby communities in search of a
fertile woman. Providentially, Shaleha finds the girl as recommended by
friends. But on the eve of her husband’s second marriage to Mersila, a gnawing
jealousy consumes Shaleha.
Above.
Director Brillante Mendoza.
Sinapupunan (Thy Womb) –
Brillante Mendoza - Actress Nora Aunor
