AISHITE IMASU 1941 (Mahal Kita 1941)

Director(s): Joel Lamangan
Country: Philippines
Year: 2004
Language: Tagalog with English subtitles
Length: 105 minutes
Website: www.regalfilms.com/aishite/

Program:
6 April - 22.15 hours - Rialto Amsterdam

A fictional historical story of war, guerrilla and betrayal in a small town occupied by the Japanese, but also a lyrical story of love between a drag queen active in the resistance and a captain of the Japanese army.

When the Japanese arrive in town, Ignacio is singing in the town square, dressed in women’s clothes. For the Japanese captain Ichiru it is love at first sight. Ignacio, however, loves Edilberto, who is hooked up with their mutual friend Inya. Edilberto is a guerrilla fighter and convinces Ignacio to ‘date’ Ichiru and be a spy for the guerrillas. Ironically, Ignacio gradually falls for Ichiru and struggles with his loyalty, while all the town starts mistrusting him as do the guerrilla fighters, for he doesn’t deliver much intelligence.