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Islands

2021

Vangie Alcasid, Rogelio Balagtas, Esteban Comilang, Sheila Lotuaco ...

Drama Joshua, a shy middle-aged Filipino immigrant, has lived in the comfort of his parents' home his entire life. As their health declines he longs for a partner, terrified of being alone after they pass.

	Author	Review
United States	Inkoo Kang The Hollywood Reporter	"Plot-wise, there are virtually no surprises in Islands. But the film’s Filipino-diasporic context adds new dimensions to Joshua’s existential slumber, as well as to the gradual awakening of his senses."	POS
United Kingdom	Fionnuala Halligan Screendaily	"Islands is a touching, authentic Tagalog-language film (...) Deliberate and unhurried, Islands is also the type of quiet film that happily watches a microwave as it warms chicken adobo for a full minute."	POS
United States	Kalyn Corrigan SlashFilm	"Islands is a poignant and engrossing reminder that you’re never too old to start living. It’s never too late to develop a lust for life."	POS
United States	Pramit Chatterjee Mashable	"Islands is a very quiet, still movie. So, you need to be patient with it. (...) But stick with it because you’ll get to learn so much (...) It’s a real tear-jerker too."	POS
United States	Nick Allen rogerebert.com	"This story of isolation and aging is a stunning feat of lived-in filmmaking (...) It is as emotionally immersive as it is unassuming. "	POS
United States	Robert Daniels The Playlist	"A patient debut that reminds us that while our parents are important, our own happiness cannot be understated or ignored."	POS
United States	Owen Gleiberman Variety	"[A] lonelyheart drama as honest as it is touching (...) 'Islands' isn’t a downer; it lifts us to a higher place"	POS
United States	Reyzando Nawara The Film Stage	"What gives this film its distinction is how Edralin adds the Philippines diasporic context via small details (...) His gentle and empathetic approach to both the story and his characters makes it feel like a breath of fresh air"	POS

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