Film exploring religion and politics during Martial Law screens at MoMA July 10-15

“Aparisyon,” the critically acclaimed Filipino drama starring Jodi Sta. Maria as a young nun, will have its New York premiere at The Museum of Modern Art on July 10-15, 2013.

MoMA has described “Aparisyon” as “a stylistically and thematically unique film from the exciting Philippine cinema scene”, which will screen as the July selection for MoMA’s ContemporAsian series, a monthly exhibition of critically-acclaimed contemporary Asian cinema.

Also starring Mylene Dizon, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio and Raquel Villavicencio (who bagged nominations from the Gawad and the Young Critics Circle for their performances), “Aparisyon” has won the NetPAC Award at the 32nd Hawaii International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 15th Deauville Asian Film Festival. Vincent Sandoval won the Best Emerging Director Award from the Asian-American International Film Festival in New York last year for his debut film “Señorita.”

Below is a synopsis of “Aparisyon” from MoMA’s programme:

The chaos leading up to Ferdinand Marcos’s 1972 declaration of martial law is palpable even within the cloistered walls of Adoration—a convent nestled in a lush forest outside of Manila. Eluding the careful watch of Mother Superior, doe-eyed newcomer Sister Lourdes begins attending political rallies in secret with Sister Remy, a young nun suffering a crisis of faith in the wake of her brother’s protest-related disappearance. Pitting prayer against political action, guilt against sin, Apparition (‘Aparisyon’) explores the repercussions of (mis)interpreting the actions of men as the will of God.

Easily the best-reviewed Philippine commercial release so far of 2013, “Aparisyon” also received a rave review from Variety: “Religion, morality and politics combine powerfully in Apparition…This intelligently scripted and deeply moving mood-piece asks hard questions about the reconciliation of spiritual beliefs and physical realities.”

Director Vincent Sandoval will be introducing the film and doing a post-screening Q&A on its opening night on Wednesday, July 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets are now available for sale online at this link or at the front desk. Regular tickets are $12 each and free for MoMA members.