This film is about a Filipina OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) named Terry, working as a domestic helper in Singapore, and the family that she works for. Like many other OFW's, Terry is in a strange land with different customs and languages. The family and Terry communicate in English, but the movie contains the native languages of all parties involved (English subtitled). Like many OFW's Terry suffers through some indignities mostly at the hand of her employer and her son. She endures hard work and disrespect so she can send money back to family in the Philippines, especially to take care of her son that was left behind.
There are so many characters in the film that I would like to discuss, each have their own quirks and make the movie interesting. Not surprisingly to me the most normal person in the film is the domestic helper Terry. I identify with her more than the wealthy (or formerly wealthy) employers or their lottery addicted delinquent son. Terry is a hard working first time OFW, trying to earn money in order to support a child back home. She endures a lot of adversity in her job, first a troublesome young ward that she takes care of, then his sometimes overbearing mom. She discovers some of the problems associated with other OFW's. Her employer asks to hold her passport (for safekeeping I'm sure) and threatens to call the police on her when she returns late from a shopping trip. She also has a problem back home that she learns about over a long distance call, but being so far away the only thing she can do is work even harder to send back more money. Her character is portrayed as smart, hard-working, and persevering.
The film is another great example of the hardships and problems OFW's face while working overseas. OFW's face racism, withheld passports, financial exploitation (Terry was offered lower than advertised wages at the hair salon based on who she was), and live under the threat of police/arrest. These asymmetrical power relationships are common among OFW's and their employers (prime for exploitation). She was also made to eat outside during a large gathering of her employers' extended family (racism, class-ism). This film also presents the story from a somewhat different angle, allowing the viewer into the life of the employer family as well. The show depicts a family with more than enough resources (they can afford a maid), until the father loses his job and over a hundred thousand (dollars?) in the stock market. The son becomes a more likable character as he warms up to Terry, and even feels the loss when she is later released from her employment. Even though the employers are really not bad people, the film skillfully played with the obvious culture clash between Singapore and the Philippines. Terry is looked at funny when praying before dinner (Catholicism), and later made to participate in a Buddhist type graveside prayer with her employers. Terry also provides the son some physical disciplining (slapping him once) and also gave other guidance, an area where his parents lacked fortitude and consistency. I can't speak for Singaporeans, but I suspect Filipino parents are more strict and authoritarian.
Another great film with strong and convincing actors that actually had me feeling for them in their separate situations.
Hwee Sim, A., Chen, A., Hadi, W. (Producers), Chen, A. (Director). (2013) Ilo Ilo Motion Picture. Singapore: Memento Films International
There are so many characters in the film that I would like to discuss, each have their own quirks and make the movie interesting. Not surprisingly to me the most normal person in the film is the domestic helper Terry. I identify with her more than the wealthy (or formerly wealthy) employers or their lottery addicted delinquent son. Terry is a hard working first time OFW, trying to earn money in order to support a child back home. She endures a lot of adversity in her job, first a troublesome young ward that she takes care of, then his sometimes overbearing mom. She discovers some of the problems associated with other OFW's. Her employer asks to hold her passport (for safekeeping I'm sure) and threatens to call the police on her when she returns late from a shopping trip. She also has a problem back home that she learns about over a long distance call, but being so far away the only thing she can do is work even harder to send back more money. Her character is portrayed as smart, hard-working, and persevering.
The film is another great example of the hardships and problems OFW's face while working overseas. OFW's face racism, withheld passports, financial exploitation (Terry was offered lower than advertised wages at the hair salon based on who she was), and live under the threat of police/arrest. These asymmetrical power relationships are common among OFW's and their employers (prime for exploitation). She was also made to eat outside during a large gathering of her employers' extended family (racism, class-ism). This film also presents the story from a somewhat different angle, allowing the viewer into the life of the employer family as well. The show depicts a family with more than enough resources (they can afford a maid), until the father loses his job and over a hundred thousand (dollars?) in the stock market. The son becomes a more likable character as he warms up to Terry, and even feels the loss when she is later released from her employment. Even though the employers are really not bad people, the film skillfully played with the obvious culture clash between Singapore and the Philippines. Terry is looked at funny when praying before dinner (Catholicism), and later made to participate in a Buddhist type graveside prayer with her employers. Terry also provides the son some physical disciplining (slapping him once) and also gave other guidance, an area where his parents lacked fortitude and consistency. I can't speak for Singaporeans, but I suspect Filipino parents are more strict and authoritarian.
Another great film with strong and convincing actors that actually had me feeling for them in their separate situations.
Hwee Sim, A., Chen, A., Hadi, W. (Producers), Chen, A. (Director). (2013) Ilo Ilo Motion Picture. Singapore: Memento Films International