About The Film
ABOUT THE FILM
The Mountain Thief is the first narrative feature film that was shot in the garbage-collecting town of Promised Land and Urban, Payatas in the Philippines where the living conditions are possibly the most horrific in the world. It was also the first film that was made with a cast culled from the scavengers of a garbage-collecting town, from the graduates of the town’s only acting workshop. The Director instituted the workshop in December of 2004. A micro-philanthropy project called Mount Hope Project was initiated by the filmmakers to help the scavengers who acted in the film. In late 2009, through the supporters and fans of this film, 2 of the children involved in the film received medical care, including surgery for one child with a club foot deformity.
SYNOPSIS
In a world of monstrous mountains of trash, Julio and his son confront their ultimate fight for survival as they seek refuge and redemption from war and hunger. Together, they navigate territorial rivalries and intense desperation among scavengers, surviving--and finding love--despite horrific living conditions. Julio, involved in a murder incident, must prove his innocence to avoid his family’s banishment and ultimate starvation.
A story of triumph over unusual circumstances, "The Mountain Thief" reveals the unimaginable realities of people living in extreme poverty, and what happens when their tenuous hold on hope and survival is threatened.
The film was selected to the prestigious 2008 IFP Narrative Rough Cut Labs and was showcased at the IFP Film Week Rough Cut Lab showcase. Our film festival run began in March 2010. It won the Special Jury Award at the 2010 San Francisco International Asian-American Film Festival. Will play in several more festivals all over the world.
In a world of monstrous mountains of trash, a family confronts their ultimate fight for survival as they seek refuge and redemption from war and hunger.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Gerry Balasta
Growing up in a town in Manila, I still remember that when a strong wind blew from the west, we had to cover our noses. If I close my eyes today, I can still smell the sickening stench coming from the country’s largest dumpsite. To this day, I am haunted by this memory, because I knew back then that people were born, lived and died in those monstrous mountains of trash. After I moved to the US, I realized, that it is essential for me to share this disturbing yet ultimately hopeful story of man’s love for life and his ability to endure.
