Award-Winning Filipino-Japanese Film Plan 75 Is Now Showing in Cinemas Nationwide
It’s been a good year for Filipino representation on the global stage. After the massive success of Triangle of Sadness and To the North, the next Filipino-centric movie to capture the hearts of viewers around the world is Plan 75, a Japanese-Filipino film that puts the spotlight on Filipino caregivers and OFWs.
Directed by Chie Hayakawa, Plan 75 tell the story of Filipino empathy in an increasingly compassionless world. Filipino-Japanese actress Stefanie Arianne plays Maria, a Filipino caregiver who is disturbed by the dystopian policy of encouraging elders to undergo euthanasia when they turn 75 years old.
Lauded at the Cannes Film Festival 2022 for its ingenious take on growing anti-elderly sentiments in Japan, Plan 75 received the Un Certain Regard Camera D'Or Special Mention 2022 award and is Japan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 75th Academy Awards. Through the Filipino character Maria, Plan 75 contrasts the cultures and values of Filipino migrant workers and Japan’s aging population.
“The reason why I chose a Filipino caregiver is because Filipino people have strong family bond and community bond that we Japanese are losing. They have a spirit to help each other rooted from their religion. I feel that they have a cultural characteristic of affection. I wanted to contrast the warm Filipino community with the apathetic community in Japan,” said Hayakawa.
Labor is one of the Philippines’ biggest exports, and a large portion of OFWs are caregivers. For Arianne, Plan 75 provides a realistic representation of Filipino caregivers, their empathy, and their family-centric values.
"I think the most similar thing Maria and I have in common is perseverance. We’ve both learned that there are times you need to get out of your comfort zone but at the same, you must not forget your boundaries and have a good heart," said Arianne, who is based in Japan.
The Filipino production houses that co-produced Plan 75 were FUSEE and Daluyong Studios, while TBA Studios is the exclusive distributor of the film in the Philippines.
“When I read the script, I knew this is a film I want to be a part of. And the Filipino representation in it is an important element of the film,” said Wilfredo Manalang, FUSEE executive producer.
Meanwhile, Daluyong Studios’ Alember Ang believes Filipinos around the world will appreciate Plan 75 for exhibiting our culture’s respect for elders: "I’ve been to a lot of festivals where Filipinos abroad cry their hearts out when they remember their lolas after watching the movie,” the co-producer added.
"The film teaches us that 'Life is precious every day,’ and we hope that Filipino moviegoers will leave the cinema feeling the same way," shares Daphne O. Chiu, TBA Studios President & COO.
Earlier this year, Plan 75 actress Chieko Baisho won Best Lead Performance at the QCinema International Film Festival 2022. Production designer Setsuko Shiokawa also won Best Production Design. Plan 75 also recently won the International Film Critics Awards (FIPRESCI Prize) at the 63rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival along with Best Director (Bronze Alexander) for Hayakawa and the Hellenic Parliament “Human Values” Award.
Here’s where you can watch Plan 75 in cinemas near you.
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