A Filipino woman leaves her family to work as a domestic helper abroad as she dreams of giving them better food to eat and secure their future, only to realize how alienated she has become to them upon her return. This is the story of Nieves, played by Angeli Bayani, in “Island of Dreams,” the pilot episode of the new HBO Asia Original anthology “Food Lore,” an anthology that features eight Asian countries’ cultures and traditions and the role that food plays in the lives of their peoples, premiering on November 3 on HBO and HBO GO on SKY.
“In as much as this episode is all about food, it is also about filmmaking in Filipino context and everything about our country. Our country has stopped being ambitious or figuring out the best. We always settle and we don’t go for perfection even if we can never get there. A lot of people like to settle and here comes Angeli (the actress playing as the protagonist of the story), who wants to see things and who’s curious about finding out things,” Erik Matti, who directed the episode on the Philippines, said about the issue that the episode tackles.
“Island of Dreams” also stars Yul Servo and Ina Feleo. Karen Lai, HBO Asia Vice President of Communications, explained that this is the first time that HBO is featuring Filipinos and a Filipino story. The HBO Asia Original will be featured in 23 territories in Asia and will also be seen in the US.
Aside from the Philippine episode, “Food Lore” will also feature episodes directed by some of Asia’s most talented storytellers. Among the episodes are India’s “A Plate of Moon” by Don Aravind, Indonesia’s “Maria’s Secret Recipe” by Billy Christian, Japan’s “Life in a Box” by Takumi Saitoh, Malaysia’s “Stray Dogs” by Ho Yuhan, Thailand’s “The Caterer” by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Singapore’s “Tamarind” by Eric Khoo, and Vietnam’s “He Serves Fish, She Eats Flowers” by Phan Dang Di from Vietnam.
Before its premiere on November 3, “Island of Dreams,” will make its world debut along with the Vietnam Episode at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) on 30 October.
Don’t miss the newest HBO Asia Original “Food Lore” starting November 3 at 10pm on HBO (CH 54 SD l CH 168 HD Metro Manila; CH 402 SD l CH 710 HD outside Metro Manila for SKYcable and CH 22 SD for SKYdirect).
