the river that never ends, 2022
written and directed by jt trinidad | 19 mins
Along a river that undergoes a major change,
Baby, a middle-aged transwoman, shuttles between her job
as a companion-for-hire for strangers and her duty to her father.
As the people around Baby start to disappear, she realizes that
she has been left behind in a sprawling city.
Available on The Criterion Channel
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“the river that never ends dissects what it means to confront the changes within ourselves, our identities, and the spaces we operate in. It is sincere and empathetic, not just to Baby, but even to her clients who are at odds with their desires. Emerald Romero in the lead role is a revelation, providing the most heartfelt performance out of the entire lineup. The act of self-exposure that Romero pursues is effortless and endearing, understated but penetrating. The meditative and trance-like treatment leads to some utterly beautiful shots of Pasig river. The film honors the space, even as expressways and imposing buildings encroach it. And so the river breathes and has a beating heartbeat, and like Baby, is in search of the calm.”
Excerpt from Rappler QCshorts 2022 review
Excerpt from Rappler QCshorts 2022 review
OFFICIAL SELECTION
▻ Qcinema International Film Festival 2022 Philippines
▻ Kaohsiung Film Festival 2023 Taiwan
▻ Singapore International Film Festival 2023 Singapore
▻ Binisaya Film Festival 20230 Philippines
▻ Lutas Negros Oriental Film Festival 2023 Philippines
▻ Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2023 Indonesia
▻ Cine De Oro Film Festival 2023 Philippines
▻ Spokane International Film Festival 2024 USA
▻ Tampere Film Festival 2024 Finland
▻ National Film Festival for Talented Youth 2024 USA
EXHIBITION
▻ Cinemarehiyon 15 Philippines
▻ AHON: Reclaiming Our Future Philippines
▻ Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival Philippines
▻ Archipelago Rising Short Film Screenings Philippines
▻ Indie Memphis USA
▻ When The Apocalypse Is Over: New Independent Philippine Cinema USA
AWARD
▻ Gender Sensitivity Award, Qcinema International Film Festival Philippines
▻ Favourite Short Film, Philippine Film Fan Award Philippines
▻ Students Award, Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival Indonesia
▻ Special Mention for Best Performance, Singapore International Film Festival Singapore
▻ Best Southeast Asian Short Film, Singapore International Film Festival Singapore
▻ Qcinema International Film Festival 2022 Philippines
▻ Kaohsiung Film Festival 2023 Taiwan
▻ Singapore International Film Festival 2023 Singapore
▻ Binisaya Film Festival 20230 Philippines
▻ Lutas Negros Oriental Film Festival 2023 Philippines
▻ Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2023 Indonesia
▻ Cine De Oro Film Festival 2023 Philippines
▻ Spokane International Film Festival 2024 USA
▻ Tampere Film Festival 2024 Finland
▻ National Film Festival for Talented Youth 2024 USA
EXHIBITION
▻ Cinemarehiyon 15 Philippines
▻ AHON: Reclaiming Our Future Philippines
▻ Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival Philippines
▻ Archipelago Rising Short Film Screenings Philippines
▻ Indie Memphis USA
▻ When The Apocalypse Is Over: New Independent Philippine Cinema USA
AWARD
▻ Gender Sensitivity Award, Qcinema International Film Festival Philippines
▻ Favourite Short Film, Philippine Film Fan Award Philippines
▻ Students Award, Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival Indonesia
▻ Special Mention for Best Performance, Singapore International Film Festival Singapore
▻ Best Southeast Asian Short Film, Singapore International Film Festival Singapore
