Navoteño film ‘Dear Tala’ set for Jakarta screening, dialogue on Oct. 11

The Navoteño film by Rachelle Magalona joins the international program “The Second Spring,” bringing its emotional story to Indonesia.

“Dear Tala, Love, Lola Odesa,” a finalist in the 7th Navoteño Film Festival, is heading to Indonesia for an international showcase and community dialogue on October 11, at Rumah dalam Gang in Jakarta.

The film has been selected for The Second Spring, a program under the Cinemata Community Curators Programme curated by Indonesian curator Raslene. The initiative features regional Asian films through public screenings and discussions aimed at building cross-cultural conversations.

Co-directed by Rachelle Magalona and Clarence Barruga, the project brings a distinctly grassroots story to an international audience. Magalona, a graduate of Far Eastern University, described the film’s journey as something that came together against the odds.

“Sa totoo lang, pakiramdam ko, tadhana na rin talaga… wala rin akong crew, pero ang mayroon ako, istorya,” she said on her recent Facebook post, recalling how the idea was sparked by the festival’s senior citizen theme and her own grandparents.

Production was done under tight constraints, with Magalona noting, “One week lang ang pre-prod… kahit sobrang tight ng schedule, kinaya naming habulin ang lahat.” The team even secured a location just a day before filming.

Despite the challenges, the filmmaker said the experience underscored the power of collaboration and support. “Parang imposibleng makasali pa, pero dahil sa’yo, tumuloy ako,” she said, crediting those who pushed her to continue despite doubts.

Starring veteran actress Gemma Masas as Lola Odesa, alongside Nathania Ical and Rona Blancaflor as Tala, the film explores memory, love, and the quiet tension of holding on to what may be fading. It follows an elderly woman who diligently records her daily life, raising the question of whether she is simply documenting, or trying to preserve something slipping away.

Magalona shared that the film’s emotional core resonated strongly with viewers. “Lahat kami naiyak habang rolling pa lang… kaya hindi na rin kami nagulat na marami ang naluha sa screening,” she said.

The October 11 event will include an on-site screening and open dialogue session with filmmakers, as part of a 114-minute curated program designed to engage communities and situate Asian films within broader social and cultural contexts.

For Magalona and her team, the Jakarta screening marks another milestone in what she sees as an ongoing journey. “Hindi rito nagtatapos ang journey namin, simula pa lang ito,” she said.

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