Hymen, oh Hyménée – Juan Luna’s Long Lost Masterpiece
Directed by Martin Arnaldo- SHORT
- Philippines
- 22 mins
- San Diego premiere
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 A Filipino filmmaker in Paris uncovers a long-lost painting by 19th-century Filipino artist Juan Luna, sparking a journey that delves into Luna’s triumphs over social and racial divides while confronting the painful reality of forgotten histories, ultimately leading to a powerful challenge against the erasure of Filipino contributions in colonial-era Europe. |
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 Born in the Philippines and raised in France, Martin studied at Boston College and Mansfield College, Oxford, before beginning pre-doctoral studies at l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales under novelist Milan Kundera. This experience ignited his passion for cinema.His early work includes the motion-capture animated film “Project BW,” recognized at the 1998 Imagina festival in Monaco, competing alongside Pixar’s “Gerry’s Game.”
His career transitioned to advertising, where he directed numerous campaigns for high-profile beauty brands, collaborating with renowned celebrities, all while maintaining a connection to his Filipino heritage. In 2016, his interest in 19th-century Filipino painter Juan Luna led to press publications, contributions to a collective work for the Ayala Museum, and a documentary produced by the museum. Now, Martin seeks to delve into longer narrative formats, integrating his academic background and aesthetic sensibilities to explore complex social and historical themes across cultures. |
Plays in
Shorts Program VII – Diaspora
Diaspora delves into complex stories of individuals navigating the unknown outside of their comfort zones and far from…
