Thanks to a feat of magic in which his mother sacrificed her life for him, black Filipino teenager Michael Jordan Ulili has a great talent for basketball. But this talent has not prepared him for the hard knocks given out by life – from his racist teammates to a knee injury and his girlfriend suddenly falling pregnant. When he comes into contact with the underground scene around crystal meth, his basketball dream slowly but surely becomes a nightmare.
Young Filipino filmmaker Timmy Harn sees Michael as a symbol of his country: a mix of indigenous roots, the culture of former colonial rulers and that of the promised land people so desire. The title refers to the hottest days of the summer, but just as easily a period of lethargy. Harn records it all in a mix of sports film, melodrama and narcotic nightmare, in glorious black-and-white and with an Oedipal lead role for a Mitsubishi Galant.
Film details
Country of production
Philippines
Year
2018
Festival edition
IFFR 2019
Length
124'
Medium/Format
DCP
Language
English, Filipino
Premiere status
International premiere
Director
Timmy Harn
Screenplay
Timmy Harn, Marija Vicente
Cinematography
Albert Banzon, Jippy Pascua
Editing
John Torres, Mervine Aquino
Principal cast
Ybes Bagadiong, Marcus Adorro, Bie Ruaro, Addriene Vergara
Production company
Digital Dreams Inc.
Producer
Jules Katanyag / Digital Dreams Inc., Danzen Santos Katanyag