THE DRAGON IN THE CLOUDS takes place between 1898 and 1900. When the revolution against Spain breaks out in the Visayas, a poor Chinaman from Cebu and his unlikely friend, a Spanish lieutenant, are taken prisoner by vengeful Katipuneros. Meanwhile in Carcar, General Pantaleon Villegas of the Revolutionary Army, butts heads with the Mayor, a loyalist to Spain.
They all have different plans for a new Philippines – with conflicting ideas about what being a Filipino means. Now they must ask themselves: Who is in the right?
Adrian William Jaugan Lo, who was born and raised in Davao City, Philippines, started filming short skits with clay figures in grade school, then got into making music videos in college.
Adrian has a passion for history, which motivates him to make the stories he does. He is a licensed physiotherapist and currently a law student at the Ateneo de Davao College of Law. His goal is to one day make a film about the history of Southern Mindanao.
Director’s Comment:
I decided to direct this film because I want people to have a better understanding of the history of the concept of being “Filipino”, and the diversity of Philippine society. It is a sad misconception amongst foreigners, and in fact amongst many Filipinos, that to be a “Filipino” means to be a member of a certain race or to have a certain skin colour. With this film, I hope to encourage people to reassess how they view their “Filipino-ness” by returning to the roots of the modern understanding of what the word means: The Philippine Revolution.
Screenings/Awards:
Mindanao Film Festival – Best Screenplay, Best Actor; Cinema Rehiyon: Montañosa Film Festival; Diwa Filipino Film Festival. USA