Arvin Belarmino’s ‘Ria,’ starring Nour Hooshmand, premieres at Busan filmfest

Rising star Nour Hooshmand leads a raw underground punk drama heading to Asia’s biggest film festival.

Arvin Belarmino’s debut full-length feature “Ria,” starring Nour Hooshmand, will have its world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, which runs from Oct. 6 to 15.

The premiere marks an important milestone for the Filipino filmmaker, whose film project has been developed through major international programs, including the Cannes Cinéfondation La Résidence.

But for Belarmino, “Ria” has always been, in many ways, a film made for Hooshmand.

“Nour is something else,” Belarmino said, explaining that the actress was one of the reasons he made his 2025 short film “Agapito.” The short, which was selected for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, was not originally intended to make the festival run. Instead, Belarmino conceived it as preparation for Hooshmand and for the larger world of “Ria.”

“It’s for Nour, in preparation for ‘Ria,’” he said.

The casting of “Ria” itself was a deliberate process. Nearly 80 actors auditioned for the title role, with the filmmakers narrowing the pool to about 60 before calling back around 30. Belarmino said he wanted to find the cast through a genuine process, rather than simply choosing established names.

“Everybody in ‘Agapito’ is in ‘Ria’”

Hooshmand eventually became the Ria he had envisioned, with Belarmino building much of the film around her and a team he had already worked with on “Agapito.” The short became a kind of rehearsal ground for the feature, with Andre, Veronica and other members of its cast and crew eventually becoming part of “Ria.”

“Everybody in ‘Agapito’ is in ‘Ria,’” Belarmino said, noting that the cinematographer, assistant director, producer and production designer Isha also carried over. For him, “Agapito” was essentially the preparation for “Ria”—a chance to build the creative “village” that would eventually make the feature.

The film itself is rooted in Belarmino’s connection to the Philippine underground punk community. Set over five days, “Ria” follows a punk community facing the imminent demolition of its home after a private land developer gives them a deadline to leave.

At the center is Ria, a young punk musician who must help defend the community and its space. The story draws from Belarmino’s own experience as part of the punk scene, as well as real-life demolition and displacement in the Philippines.

A form of resistance

While some scenes were filmed in actual punk community spaces, the production also recreated the community in a larger location to give the filmmakers greater freedom to shoot. Other scenes involving the community’s activities were filmed within an actual punk community.

Belarmino said he hopes the film can challenge the familiar image of punk culture as simply rebellious, chaotic or nihilistic. Instead, “Ria” explores its political side: the camaraderie, care and collective action that exist within the community, particularly its efforts to support marginalized groups.

Music remains an important part of Belarmino’s filmmaking, as it was in “Radikals” and “Agapito,” but “Ria” draws its energy from a different subculture. Through its music and characters, the film looks at punk not only as an artistic expression but also as a form of resistance.

“Ria” has already traveled a long road before reaching Busan. The project was selected for the 2022 Cannes Cinéfondation La Résidence and received the CNC Pitch Award, while its development also took it through programs such as Talents Tokyo, Locarno Filmmakers Academy and La Fabrique Cinéma.

Now, with its world premiere at one of Asia’s most important film festivals, Belarmino is ready to introduce Ria and the community that inspired her to an international audience.

More than anything, he hopes the film will make viewers curious about the real people behind the punk subculture—and, eventually, bring “Ria” home to the Philippines.

READ: