‘Under Parallel Skies’ is a 2024 romantic drama film by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, a renowed Filipino filmmaker celebrated for her heart-wrenching movies like ‘Kita Kita’ and ‘UnTrue.’ This movie marks a striking and touching cooperation between Filipino and Thai artists, showcasing the emerging phenomena of intercultural narratives in Southeast Asian cinema. The film features Thai superstar Metawin Opas-iamkajorn (better known as Win) alongside Filipina actress-singer Janella Salvador, and takes place in the culturally rich Hong Kong, delving into themes of love, loss, family and self-rediscovery.
The film follows the journey of Parin (Metawin Opas-iamkajorn), a young Thai man who travels to Hong Kong searching for his long lost mother. With shards of his childhood and deep emotional scars welling up within, Parin hopes for healing in a strange city. While in Hong Kong, he crosses paths with Iris (Janella Salvador) – a kind-hearted self-reliant Filipina who is employed at a local hotel. Their first encounters are tentative and polite due to the baggage of differing cultures and individual experiences, but as they spend more time with one another, something tender yet powerful begins to grow.
Parin’s internal conflict of trying to find someone who is seemingly elusive is compounded, as he finds himself attempting to navigate his way through an exquisite yet foreign city, literally searching for a person who might not want to be found and having to grapple with the often distressing language barrier. Iris, on the other hand, is still very much in Hong Kong, doing her best to earn a stable livelihood for herself all the while aiding her memories to fade into the past. Their relationship becomes a sanctuary, one in which they are free to suspend the burdening reality of hope’s unfulfilled promises and the dashed dreams of their pasts, just for a little while.
In their exploration of Kowloon City’s busy streets alongside the more serene Peng Chau shores and Tai O’s stilt houses, the couple not only uncovers Hong Kong’s captivating beauty, but they also embark on a journey of self-discovery. This is aided by the cinematography, as it captures and emphasizes the symphonic beauty of the city throughout the characters’ emotional journey, where each harbor and marketplace bursts with the chaotic energy and transformation of the character’s unspoken struggles which eventually turns into subtle happiness alongside another.
The power of the film is best demonstrated in its understated scenes: shared silences, gentle dialogue, and enduring glances where the characters’ emotions evolve effortlessly. It does not feel the need to indulge in over the top theatrics; it respects that its audience is capable of and nuanced understanding of the subtle yet profound connection between people. There is a naturalistic ease to the chemistry shared between Metawin and Janella. Metawin captures the nuanced grief, hope, and fear of a young man beautifully in his portrayal of Parin. Janella Salvador is equally striking as Iris; her portrayal possesses an astounding balance of strength and fragility.
Known for creating sensitive, intimate love stories, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo directs Under Parallel Skies with her signature touch of understated honesty and emotional depth. She gives the actors full embodiment of their characters, which is essential to her approach because the screenplay centers around two people deeply, albeit quietly, grappling with personal problems in one space together. Bernardo’s perspective on the story is refreshingly mature; there are no worn-out tropes and rather, an embrace of the complexity of love and relationships grounded in reality.
The movie makes a quiet observation on cultural identity, and diaspora and diaspora as it pertains to Southeast Asian expatriates. Iris depicts the reality of many overseas workers as caregivers who simultaneously pursue dreams of their own. Parin, on the other hand, depicts the poignant search for a place to call home alongside unresolved family bonds. These ideas add social and emotional depth to Under Parallel Skies while integrating seamlessly into the narrative.
The film is musically restrained but impactful. The score complements the emotions of the story but does not overpower them. Local sounds and gentle melodies enhance the setting of the story while contributing to the development of the arcs of the characters’ emotions.
The production design and cinematography are the film’s strongest points. The film is shot in real locations in Hong Kong which the filmmakers incorporate into the visual narrative of the film. By capturing the non-touristy, mundane areas of Hong Kong, the filmmakers provide a more personal and authentic feel, anchoring the characters’ emotional journey in a real, relatable world.
In March 2024, “Under Parallel Skies” was showcased at the 17th Asian Film Awards and thereafter, released in the Philippines in April 2024, followed by Singapore and Thailand. The film’s broad reach across Asia can be attributed to the popularity of its leading actors as well as its overarching themes. The integration of Thai and Filipino actors alongside the Hong Kong location of filming demonstrates a shifting focus in regional cinema, highlighting more cross-collaborative storytelling and greater inclusivity.
While the film is framed in romance, “Under Parallel Skies” explores the idea of emotional healing as a transformative experience rather than a fairytale ending. It portrays love that provides the psychological fortitude to confront challenges, even if it doesn’t resolve them. Iris and Parin’s relationship does not adhere to the norms of tempestuous romances, but it is sincere and change-inducing in its own right.
To sum up
A Under Parallel Skies is a beautifully understated romantic drama with emotional authenticity, strong performances, and clear-headed direction. Love is shown not so much as an escape from life’s myriad problems, but rather a traversable landscape where healing can thrive and understanding can grow. This film is a must watch for everyone who is invested in character-driven stories as well as cross-cultural narratives. In this respect, Under Parallel Skies is both deeply personal and globally relevant: gentle yet heartfelt.
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