Binding Shadows [A Short Film]

This short film follows Lana, a young woman haunted by memories of a past life, who encounters Kai, a mysterious figure with no recollection of his own past, in a secluded storage space. Despite having just met, they share an inexplicable connection, drawing Lana into memories of someone she once loved deeply. Through Kai's gentle presence, Lana confronts the shadows that bind her to her past, while Kai, touched by her warmth, will soon begin to relinquish memories he hid in the shadows. Together, they face the choice to acknowledge their shadows, and break free from its binds.

SONG:
Languyin by Autotelic

STARRING:
CIANNA MERCADO as LANA
JOAQUIN VELASCO as KAI

THE TEAM:
JULIANA ELLICE POLANCOS - Director
HAZEL ANNE MIRANDA - Director of Photography, Writer, and Editor
REIANN MARTHA SAAVEDRA - Art Director
ASTRID DOMINIQUE MIGRINO - Production Manager
HIRO ODAMAKI - Audio Recordist and Visual Collaterals

WRITER'S NOTE:
Hello! "Binding Shadows" is our group's final output for the MMFVID class at DLS-CSB, but for me, this project means much more. Most people I know from college may see "Binding Shadows" as the story I wrote last term for my MWRITNM finals, but truly, this story goes way back.

Lana and Kai have existed ever since I was in 12th grade, their story shaped by a class of talented people: 12MEDIA1 (you all know who you are! Special shoutout to Aaron, Jupiter, Sep, Chloe, Karyl, Chesca, Andrea, Lee, and Nicoe). "Languyin" was our class' theater play, and I co-wrote that story with Angeline Reyes, Alexandria Antonio, and Lars Hera.

I'd like to believe that "Languyin" meant as much to them as it did to me. Personally, as the main writer for "Languyin," I became very attached to the characters and their world; hence the birth of "Binding Shadows."

"Binding Shadows" is my epilogue for "Languyin." For context, "Languyin" follows the journey of Kai as he reads through Lana's journal, learning about the beautiful life she lived, the friends whose lives she touched, and the story of how their love was shaped by the waves. It centers on Kai's struggle to move on after the passing of his beloved, Lana. The story ends with Kai standing once more on the beach where he and Lana spent their time together, finally letting go of her.

"Ikaw ang agos ng tubig na dumaloy sa tila patay kong dalampasigan... Salamat. Hanggang sa muli, aking Lana..." (Kai; Languyin)

"Binding Shadows" is my way of making it up to Kai, for all the pain his character endured in "Languyin."

To Lana and Kai... May your love continue to flow with the waves you formed your love upon...
Love,
Hazel