Film on 2009 Maguindanao Massacre Debuts at Busan Asian Project Market
‘Once Upon a Time in the Philippines’, a feature by E del Mundo, premiered at the Asian Project Market within Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market.
In Brief
- •‘Once Upon a Time in the Philippines’, a feature by E del Mundo, premiered at the Asian Project Market within Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market.
- •The story follows 19‑year‑old Sam, a gas‑station worker who becomes entangled in a political clan’s private army killings, echoing the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
- •The 2009 attack killed 58 people, including at least 32 journalists, and is considered the deadliest single assault on media workers worldwide.
- •Production is a collaboration between Screen Asia (Philippines), Piano Sano Films (France) and DUOfilm (Norway), with additional co‑producers from Norway and Denmark.
- •The project has progressed through Cannes, Venice, Locarno, Torino and Singapore film labs, winning several development awards before seeking final financing at Busan.
Why It Matters
The film brings renewed attention to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, one of the most brutal attacks on journalists, highlighting how political violence can become institutionalized. By portraying the personal impact on a young woman, it offers a human lens on systemic impunity, potentially influencing public discourse and policy around press freedom in the Philippines and beyond.
Key Details
- Film Title
- Once Upon a Time in the Philippines
- Inspiration Event
- 2009 Maguindanao Massacre
- Victims in 2009 Attack
- 58 killed, 32 journalists
- Production Partners
- Screen Asia, Piano Sano Films, DUOfilm
- Development Awards
- Locarno Open Doors (development & Sørfond), TorinoFilmLab (FOCAL Resource)
Context & Background
The 2009 Maguindanao massacre, in which armed men killed 58 civilians and at least 32 journalists, remains a stark reminder of the dangers faced by media workers in conflict zones and the need for stronger protections.
Original Reporting & Sources
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