Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine” Starring Maris Racal Set to Compete at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival
MANILA, Philippines — Acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone’s latest movie, Sunshine, starring Maris Racal, has been officially selected for the prestigious 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). The film will make its European premiere in the Generation 14plus Competition category.
Project 8 Projects, the production company behind Sunshine, announced the news on social media, confirming the movie’s inclusion. While the official screening dates at Berlinale are yet to be revealed, Jadaone shared on her personal social media account that this marks her third visit to the festival.
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Jadaone first attended Berlinale in 2014, participating in the festival’s talent development program and the European premiere of Eduardo Roy’s Quick Change. Her second visit was to promote her film Boldstar starring Angelica Panganiban. However, this is the first time Jadaone and Project 8 Projects are competing at one of the “Big 3” film festivals—Berlinale, Cannes, and Venice.
Sunshine had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last September, where it garnered widespread attention, selling out all three screenings despite being at the tail end of the festival. Jadaone expressed her joy, saying, “Akala ko puro Pinoy lang manonood, but there were a lot of non-Filipinos who watched and were affected by the film. Nakaka-happy.”
The movie follows the story of a young rhythmic gymnast, played by Racal, who dreams of joining the national team but faces an unexpected twist when she discovers she’s pregnant days before her tryout. On her journey to seek illegal abortion drugs, she encounters a mysterious girl who eerily mirrors her thoughts and emotions.
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Sunshine tackles pressing social issues like teen pregnancy, abortion, and the struggles of Filipino athletes aspiring for global recognition, such as competing in the Olympics. The cast includes Elijah Canlas, Xyriel Manabat, Jennica Garcia, Annika Co, and Meryll Soriano.
This is Jadaone’s first feature film since her award-winning Fan Girl (2020), and it also marks her third collaboration with Racal, who previously starred in The Kangks Show and Simula Sa Gitna.
Racal, who has kept a low profile since a recent controversy, recently released a new song, Perpektong Tao, and is set to appear in the upcoming show Incognito alongside Anthony Jennings.
