Dark fantasy crossed with historical fiction is a particularly unique combination. Those who've seen Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth can certainly attest to this. Not only did it contain absolutely stunning visuals and memorable creatures, but you could argue it presented a legitimate criticism of fascism through the lens of a child's fantasy world. It also had a scene where someone's face was caved in with a glass bottle, but we'd rather not remember that. Case in point, combining the two genres allows for a visually-interesting film that doubles as a means to reflect real-world ideas. A recent hit at Sundance, In My Mother's Skin, aims to do just that.
A co-production between the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan, In My Mother's Skin promises to be a harrowing fairy tale set in the Japanese-occupied Philippines during World War II. The film was written and directed by Kenneth Dagatan, who previously wrote and directed the Philippine supernatural thriller Ma.
This is everything we know about In My Mother's Skin.
In My Mother's Skin: The Plot
The official plot synopsis provided by Sundance is as follows.
"Philippines, 1945. Nearing the end of World War II, an affluent family lives stranded in their country mansion, tormented by the occupying Japanese soldiers who are losing grip over the island nation. Rumors spread that the patriarch, Aldo, stole Japanese gold and stashed it somewhere nearby. Aldo knows that his family will be slaughtered if they find the riches, so he escapes to seek help from the Americans. Soon they fear he will never return while sickness overtakes the mother. Searching for help, their young daughter, Tala, mistakenly places her trust in a beguiling, flesh-eating fairy, who desires to consume them all."
It's certainly an unfamiliar setup for most. Some of the most popular World War II films in the west tend to focus on the western front and, occasionally, the battles in the pacific. It's not hard to see why. The pure evil that Nazi Germany exuded is broadly understood and makes for a plethora of engaging stories from either side of the conflict. However, the impact that the Japanese occupation left on its respective territories is nightmarish, to say the least.
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines began mere hours after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor. The Imperial Japanese army was met with heavy resistance on the Bataan Peninsula before they were victorious, taking more than 80,000 prisoners and leading them on what is now known as the "Bataan Death March." A guerilla movement aided by Douglas MacArthur, the General of the United States Army at the time, formed and was able to gradually fight against the Imperial Japanese until their eventual surrender in 1945. Between battles, hundreds of Filipino citizens were either imprisoned or forced into becoming "comfort women" for the Japanese soldiers.
It's a horrifying situation to endure, which will likely be utilized by In My Mother's Skin to create a stressful, tension-filled setting. The involvement of Filipino folklore only adds to the conflict, with Tala's trust in the fairy being a logical response to an insecure, dangerous world surrounding her.
In My Mother's Skin: The Cast
In My Mother's Skin will feature a predominantly Filipino cast comprised of Angeli Bayani, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, James Mavie Estrella, Beauty Gonzalez, and Felicity Kyle Napuli.
Curtis-Smith has had a successful career in television prior to her contributions to In My Mother's Skin, appearing in dozens of episodes for The World Between Us, Descendants of the Sun, and Sahaya. You may recognize her from her leading role in Netflix's Alter Me, a film about the burgeoning romance between an HR manager and a private escort. She also has some experience in the horror genre, starring in the award-winning Filipino horror film Dementia. She will be playing the role of the fairy.
Bayani has received multiple nominations for Best Actress at the Gawad Urian Awards for her performances in Melancholia and Ka Oryang before winning the award outright with 2014's Norte, the End of History. She brings with her an immense talent that will no doubt be put to good use for In My Mother's Skin.
Napuli will be playing the role of Tala. An up-and-coming actress, Napuli's only major role prior to In My Mother's Skin was the television series Maria Clara and Ibarra. Funnily enough, her character's name in that series was also Tala.
Release Date
Per Deadline, In My Mother's Skin has been officially acquired by Prime Video, and will come to the service later in 2023. An exact date has not been provided yet
Everything Else We Know
In My Mother's Skin has been an absolute critical darling at Sundance so far, with multiple critics lauding the film for its dreamlike-terror, distinct contrast between childhood innocence and graphic gore, and terrific effects. It's the only foreign-language entry in the festival's "Midnight" category, and the first film from the festival to be acquired by a significant streaming service.