Boy from Nowhere (2023) - full transcript
Shot guerrilla style in dangerous parts of the southern Philippines, Boy From Nowhere is S.J. Finlay's feature film debut. It features a cast of non-actors whose lives closely mimic the tale of a boy caught up in chain of events beyond his control. After losing his father and home when his fishing village is burned down in an attack, a lost and gentle young boy sets off inland to find his mother and her tribe. Vulnerable and malleable, he battles hunger and solitude, drifting into the wrong crowd as he's brainwashed into becoming a child soldier for the local rebel faction until further loss leads him to find a more meaningful purpose for his life.
Where are you from?
You're not from
this tribe, are you?
What's your name?
Where are you really from?
Where are you from?
Matina
On the beach?
What are you doing here?
To play basketball
You're Bajao aren't you?
If you're Bajao, why aren't
you out on a boat, fishing?
Well if you want to play
with us, then let's play
We'll show you how we play
Lucky shot
That was a foul!
You pushed me
What happened?
You can go home now
Go, the beach is that way
Go catch some fish
Bajao, see you next time!
What are you doing that for?
It's called 'Graffiti'
I'm making this wall
look like it's alive
What about you?
Are you an artist?
I don't know
You want to test it out?
OK
Hey, what are you
doing to our wall?
Gary
I want you to help me ready
the boats for fishing tomorrow
Do I have to go? I'm
not good at fishing
We are Bajao, this is what we do
If we want to provide
for our families,
and prove your worth to
the tribe, it's important
The other boys your age
are good fishermen already
OK let's get a move on,
the wind is changing
A storm is coming
Are you going to
try fishing today?
It looks too deep
No, it's not too bad
I can't see the floor yet
It's not bad, we'll show you
Remember, like this,
try it like this
Gary, lookout, a shark!
You were so scared!
Pa, what should I do now?
Keep watch, watch
out for bad weather
Warn us if you see anything
Pa, how do I know if
a storm is coming?
You'll know if a storm is
coming through observation
Learn to observe your
environment: the sea, the waves
Watch the wind on the horizon,
where it is taking the clouds
Watch closely
But if you can't escape a storm,
Don't be scared,
and don't fight it
Be careful not to
lose your strength
Look for something to hold onto
and wait until the
storm passes you by
It's the same in life
If you find yourself in a bad
circumstances and you feel lost
You must find
something to hold onto
For us, we have our spears
We hold tight to them because
they provide for us
As long as we have
them, we can eat
and we will survive the storms
Hey Gary, catch anything?
That's ok, I got a good
one, we can share it
Pa, why is mu skin not as
dark as the other boys?
It's because your mother
was not of our tribe
Her tribe is called 'Talaandig'
Where is my mother now?
Why is there smoke
near our home?
Gary, go with the others
into the city, fast!
Here is a picture
of your mother I hid
Keep it safe
She is from a valley
called San Fernando
I must help rescue the boats
You go into the city
and wait for me there
Run!
What are you doing here?
Did someone die?
It's true
What are you doing after this?
I don't know
Why are you here,
to do graffiti?
No, to visit my spot,
where I hang out by myself
Do you want to check it out?
I heard that a while back
there was a big fire in Matina
Were you affected?
Yes, most of the homes
burned down, including mine
That's crazy man... so unlucky
This is where I come
when I need to get away
and think about things
The view and the fresh
air... they help me think
Where are you
living now, a camp?
Yeah, but some are
starting to leave
Just taking their
boats and going
We don't feel welcome there
Really? So what
are you gonna do?
I'm not sure
Sheesh
If I were you
I'd just go with the wind
and see where it takes me
I forgot, I have something to do
Wanna come?
I'm good here
Tickets!
Where are you going?
From here to Malaybalay
then San Fernando is P350
P350?? I only have two hundred
Hey kid, where are you going?
Malaybalay, man
Wanna come with us?
Come on, let's go!
What's your name?
Gary
I'm Nack Nack
Where are you from?
So you're an outlaw then?
What's an outlaw?
You've never heard of an outlaw?
Have you ever heard
of John Wayne?
No
How about the Wild Wild West?
Clint Eastwood?
Rambo?
You've NEVER heard of an outlaw?
An outlaw is like, a
dangerous guy from out of town
That's alright, when we get
to my place in Malaybalay,
we'll watch a cowboy movie OK?
Ok
What kind of idiot
doesn't know 'outlaw'
Gary, have you ever
been to Malaybalay?
It's very dangerous
But don't worry,
I'll keep you safe
Safe from the gangsters
This is my new bro Gary
He doesn't have any friends
That's why I brought him to you
He's just looking for love
What do you think of my group?
They are gangsters, very
dangerous characters
Yeah, they call us PPG
Power Puff Girls
We all have nicknames to
protect our real identities
This one is Zorro
and this one is Chloe Jones,
watch out, she's tough
Do you dance? Dance for us!
Sample!
Sample!
This is my bro Gary,
the best dancer
Do you know how to rap?
Shall we show them what we do?
Let him try, we'll
beatbox for you
Can you sing? There's
karaoke right there!
Just one song
OK I'll try one
Nack, come here
They don't have my
song in the machine
That's OK, just sing! Sing loud!
We're losing, so use
your elbow if you have to
What's wrong with you?
Think you're a tough guy?
Get off him
Go home tough guy
This is our
neighborhood, you go!
Go pick on your sister
Play nice
Play nice
In this world, you
can't expect respect
You need to show you are
tough and demand respect
We gangster have to stand up
for ourselves and our family
or we won't survive
If someone doesn't respect you,
be ready to fight
and punch first
Gary, show me your
gangster face again
Keep your chin up
Great, now pose for a picture
Nice, I'll put it on Facebook
What's Facebook?
You don't know Facebook?
He doesn't know anything
Facebook is where you go
to see girls, sexy ones
What should we put for
your name in your profile?
Gary of course!
No, that's not good, you
need to sound more tough
How about Gary the Shrek?
No no, that's not my name
Ok, Gary the Minion
Because you always wear yellow
That's good, Gary from Minions
Wait a sec
Hold this for me and wait
Zorro, who is this
boy with Nack Nack?
That's Ton Ton,
his younger brother
What happened to him?
In a gang war, he was
killed by two guys
Last year
Very sad
Ok, who else is hungry?
Of course!
Always!
Show me what you will do
for food, entertain me
How bout dance, dance for me?
More conflicts in the mountains
of Bukidnon have left many dead
in recent weeks
Both the military and
various rebel groups
have incurred losses in recent
ambush attacks
The rebel groups
are fighting against
what they believe to be
unfair mining and
foresty projects
sanctioned by the
Government within
tribal territories
However, without proper
Government representation
or land titles
They believe they must
resort to violence
To uphold their claims
Many tribal peoples,
otherwise known as 'Lumads'
are being caught
in the crossfire
Finding themselves displaced
or incurring losses of their own
while trying to
remain a neutral party
The rebels have released
several propaganda
videos on the internet
Saying they are
stronger than ever
While experts believe
their numbers are dwindling
and thus are heavily recruiting
in cities and in villages
in Bukidnon province
Offering food,
pay and protection
to those who join their cause
What idiots, getting
themselves killed in ambushes
What do you know about it?
Gary, let's go!
One sec, be right there
I need you to hide so the
landlady doesn't see you
Nack Nack, you're
late on your rent!
Hello! Good day!
Hold on
Is there a problem Nack?
Is there a problem Nack?
You head back home
Why?
Remember the things
I taught you! Go!
Remember what I taught you!
Run!
Nack, what's going on?
Out of the way!
What are you doing?
PAcking my things
Where are you going?
Doesn't matter, you stay
Where are you going?
San Fernando valley
Stay here!
Let me come!
No, you have to stay
Let me come Nack!
You're crazy if you want
to come with me, stay here!
Stay here, you're not coming!
I want to come, let me come!
'Climb every mountain!'
Why are you so slow? Move!
I've never been
in a forest before
I've never seen so many trees
Why do you have so many tattoos?
These?
They tell mey story to the world
They're like symbols
of my identity
Like this one, of Mother Mary
I got this tattoo, because
I never knew my own mother
When I look at her face,
I feel like I have a
mother watching out for me
and this one,
this one is a symbol
of the group I belong to
'Souljah's Ryhme'
We love music,
singing and dancing
What about you? Why
don't you have a tattoo?
I don't know what to get
Get something that
tells your story...
Your identity
Or maybe, just get a tattoo
of the face of your mama
I can't think of anything
Maybe we could get one together?
Like what?
I don't know
'Friends'
Are you kidding me?
That's too gay!
How about... 'Expendable'
Yeah, like the
movies... maybe here
Get up
Where are you from? Get up!
You're MPF right?
We came to join up with you
Nack, who are these guys?
They're outlaws, just like us
Nack, where are we going?
I don't know man
He's the boss
Where are we going?
When you need to know something
I'll tell you
What do you think you're doing?
Do you want the
military to smell us?
Yeah right, how
could they find us?
How do you think we found you?
Let's go!
Intruders - we
found them wandering
Why were you wandering
in the jungle?
We came to join up, we
had nowhere else to go
Is this true?
Come
Tonight we have
some guests with us
They are young
But it is important for young
people to join our group
If you are old, you are
already a victim of the system
But if you are young, you
have time to take action,
and find the strength
to change the system!
Tell me
Do you know who we are?
We are the Mindanao
People's Front!
Our mission is to protect
the homes and identities
of the true people of Mindanao,
and of the Philippines
Tell me
Have you ever had
something taken from you?
Me also
That's why we are here
Because we have lost so much,
like our land, our
culture, and our identity!
We have lost these things
because of capitalsim
big business, mining
companies, plantation companies
that come from America,
Japan, Australia,
and Canada
There's nothing left for us,
and there's nowhere to go
So we must stand
up for ourselves!
Show how strong we can be!
Do you think what
they do is fair?
You're right, it's not fair!
So let's show them
that we want justice!
Are you sure you
want to be one of us?
Are you willing to
fight against the ones
that take from us, and
treat us like slaves?
Are you tough enough
to be a real warrior?
Or are you only here
because you want safety and food
Ok, I want you to form a line,
and march from there to there
I'm not going with them
I'm a gangster, I want
to stay with you guys
You call yourself a gangster?
Does that mean I
should respect you!
If you want respect,
you have to earn it
If everyone just does
whatever they want
and doesn't take orders
we will be weak
and useless
That's what the government wants
They think we are
young and disorganized
So we must show them
that we are disciplined
So if you won't march
Then you won't eat
Hey kid
bring me one bowl?
I wish I didn't bring you here
You should be in the city,
playing computer,
fishing, having fun
I shouldn't have brought
you here, I'm sorry...
I'ts my fault
The revenge wasn't worth it
It's not so bad, at
least they have food
This is how you must carry
your weapon, pointed down
Here's the site
This is the trigger
Here's the safety
This is the magazine
To change the magazine,
press here, and it falls
and press the new one in
You must keep your
gun in good condition
I want you to send some of the
new ones to Baranguay Blacktop
That's a risky area
We need to show bravery
We must be willing
to make sacrifices
to show we are not afraid
Tonight we are gathered
to remember, and to celebrate
and welcome some new members
to our cause and to our family
And now...
as a symbol of their new life
and to show their commitment
they will make a sacrifice
of a possession
that is precious to them
Who wants to do the honors?
New recruit!
Show me who you really are
Why did we burn that truck?
Because they didn't
pay their taxes
Where are you from?
Just over those hills,
a small community
Tell me, if you look over there,
Do you see many trees?
Or not?
I don't know
Years ago, there were many trees
Covering the hills
But then the government
gave away the land
Men cut down the trees
and took them away
Forests that provided
our livelihood
The forest was our pharmacy
our church, and our market
and the wisdom of the old days
Where are you from?
Bajao tribe, Davao City
I live...
I used to live on the shore
But our village was burned down
Do you think it's possible
the Government wanted
to take your land?
I don't know
Hey bro, I forgot, I
have something for you
I saved this for you
Her face burned
off though, sorry
the legs are there
though, so it's still good
keep it as akeepsake
to remember where you came from
Don't forget about her
Don't forget
I'm sending you on a mission
to Baranguay Blacktop
Ten kilometers from here
To collect tax and recruit
Now!
Nack, can we stop?
Keep going, don't be a wuss
I think a storm is coming
Nack, I thought I
saw something move!
Do you see anything?
Run!
Run Gary!
Find them!
See anything?
Nothing
Where am I?
You're awake?
Don't worry
Have some coffee with me
I grew the beans myself
What tribe are you?
I am from the Bajao tribe
You are far from home!
I have to go
Where are my clothes?
Please wait, just a moment
Wear this for now
I need to go
Please wait, just a moment
Out there, that's not your fight
You're still young
You should be having
fun, playing games
Helping to plant crops
Watching animals
I need to go
If they find me here
They'll call me a
coward and a traitor
I have to go
and tell them what happened
Come, I want to
show you something
Are you happy to be fighting
against the government?
You should be fighting instead
against your true enemy
which is your stomach
Me?
I'm also a warrior
But my weapons
are my farming tools
They give me my strength
and also a home, and an identity
If you want to be a warrior
then follow me
to plant crops
We, the Talaandig
Wait, what tribe did you say?
This is a risky idea
If the rebels find him here,
problems
and if the military finds him,
even bigger problems
He needs our support
and if he blends in
maybe when they come
they won't recognize him
Do they dance where
you come from?
Not really, we are
swimmers, not dancers
Have you swum in the sea before?
Yes, all the time
I would love to try it sometime
It's good, but you have
to be careful of storms
I bet you would know what to do
Yeah
Are you an artist?
No, not really...
Many here are artist though
I like to support them, and
fill my house with their work
What do you think?
They are beautiful
Art is an important practice
It helps us remember
and preserve our culture
Come with me
I will show you some more
We must make use of the skills
and traditions that
are passed on to us
so that can preserveour
identity as a tribe
those things that have
been handed down to us
Sometimes we don't
see the value of art
Right now, many tribes
and city dwellers
and have forgotten
the value of art
and with it, their origins
But by practicing painting,
and also dance, and music
It might help others remember
the wisdom and the importance
of their own culture
and that we must work
together to protect it
Who is this woman
That was my niece
Many years ago,
she left us
and I heard she was
married in Davao
But we haven't heard
from her in a long time
Where are you from?
You're not from
this tribe, are you?
What's your name?
Where are you really from?
I should ask you the same thing
Who are you and
where are you from?
I'm of the Manobo tribe
We are native warriors
Fighting for justice in Mindanao
We are the MPF
I'm here to recruit
You won't find any fighters here
You already have one among you
We have all taken
different paths
to get to where we are today
But it is our choice
what we choose to do now,
that determines
who we really are
Commander
Tell me something
What are you
fighting for exactly?
The war
for peace in Mindanao
and for true justice
from the disease of corruption
within our government thanks
to the meddling Americans
You think you will
find justice and peace
through using weapons?
You say you are Manobo
You have your own
strengths as a tribe
Your own practices
Your own culture
Your ancestral teritories
Not capitalism
not communism
not religion
Above all
The fight that we must face
is to provide food
for our people
So that we may
remain in our lands
even when things are hard
If our people are hungry
they will lose the ability
to hold on to their
true identites
If we don't fight with weapons
They will continue to abuse us
They don't respect
us as tribal people
And the next generation
can change things,
through strength
Do you believe that
you'll win against them?
You are just a pawn
This is their business
It's not really
your choice to fight
as a true Filipino
For me, it's to late
I've lost too much
and I have too much
anger in my heart
Your anger won't save anyone
Gary, what will you choose?
To go and fight with them?
Or remain with our tribe?
What if the government tries
to burn this place
and take the land?
How can they burn it?
These lands
when it is us farmers
who produce their food?
How can they destroy us
If we help each other
and if we remain
united and strong?
Will you go with them?
Or stay with the tribe?