MOVIE • 2026

Family Ties

A filmmaker uncovers how her grandparents’ early childhood experience in the Philippines during WWII has instilled survival for three generations across two countries

The director sits down with her grandparents, Elenea and Manuel Papelera as they look back at what they remember about growing up at the end and post WWII in Philippines under Japanese occupation and how being raised in that environment has affected them and how they’ve gone about raising their family. From memories of their youth, to deciding to pick up their lives and immigrating their family to Australia, to working laborious jobs to provide for their family. After sitting down with her Lola and Lolo, the director uncovers her connection to her Filipino heritage. After strife over two countries and three generations her family is still here now, betting over Mahjong games against their friends.