Anak (2000)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Rory B. Quintos

Writers:

Ricardo Lee (story) and
Raymond Lee (story)

Release Date:

10 May 2000 (Philippines)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The main character is a Filipina Overseas Contract Worker, one of the many residents of the archipelago...

Plot Keywords:

Mother Son Relationship | Overseas Worker | Mother Daughter Relationship | Domestic Servant | Hong Kong

Awards:

3 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Vilma Santos	...	Josie
Claudine Barretto	...	Carla
Joel Torre	...	Rudy
Baron Geisler	...	Michael
Sheila Mae Alvero	...	Daday (as Sheila Mae)
Amy Austria	...	Lyn
Cherry Pie Picache	...	Mercy
Leandro Muñoz	...	Brian
Tess Dumpit	...	Norma
Cris Michelena	...	Arnel
Hazel Ann Mendoza	...	Young Carla
Daniel Morial	...	Young Michael
Gino Paul Guzman	...	Don Don
Jodi Sta. Maria	...	Bernadette
Odette Khan	...	Mrs. Madrid

Also Known As:

The Child (International: English title)

Runtime:

135 min | USA:120 min (San Francisco Asian American Film Festival)

Country:

Philippines

Language:

Tagalog | Filipino

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Philippines:PG-13

Company:

Star Cinema Productions

Trivia:

Vilma Santos dyed her bright-colored hair to auburn saying it would protect her image as mayor of Lipa town.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Game K N B: (2006-10-12)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Manila, Manila

Serious issue

The Philippine president praises the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) as hero. This is nothing more than delusive. The reality of OFWs is almost slavery exporting. In this film, Josie, the mother, was locked in the house while her master and his family were on long vacation. That was why she could not attend her husband's funeral! Total remittance from the OFWs, who send most of their earnings from such humiliating work, amounts nearly US$ 10B annually. This film raises a serious issue in Philippine society, however, I think most of Philippine politicians may not even recognize how desperate a country which relies on exporting their people for such slavery jobs.

They leave their family because they love family. Mother leaves her children whom she wants to embrace always, and works for them sacrificing everything. Children feel they are abandoned by their mother even they know their daily life is supported by her remittance. Mother's love ends up with broken relationship. What a tragedy! The life of the family looks not bad in Philippine standard. In fact their house is large enough even in Japanese standard. However, their father, who looks a good man, do not have stable job, if not minimal income which is hard to afford their life. In fact, even working abroad as a maid is a kind of status.

I don't understand why the mother does not cancel going to Hong Kong and choose yet another life, to live with her family with less income, after reconciliation with her daughter. Unless Filipinos decide to quit working overseas for little money, I think this country would not become better.

By the way, this is the first film I saw Vilma Santos. Her performance is superb. Few actresses can act both comical and serious sides of the same character.