Promise and Unrest

Dir. Alan Grossman and Áine O’Brien (2010)

Separated from her daughter Gracelle at 7 months, Noemi Barredo left the Philippines for work in Malaysia to support her parents and extended family before arriving in Ireland in 2000. Filmed over a five-year period Promise and Unrest is an intimate portrayal of a migrant woman performing caregiving and long-distance motherhood, while assuming the responsibility of sole provider for her family back in the Philippines. Dublin may be a long way from Noemi’s hometown of Babatngon, yet she retains a sharp eye on the welfare of her family, attentive to a range of small businesses she has financed, paying for the education of her daughter and son, medication for her terminally ill father and her sister’s nursing degree. Through the camera lens, the film captures the everyday intricacies of Noemi and Gracelle’s relationship, their reunion in Ireland and the beginnings of a domestic life together in the same country for the first time. Promise and Unrest unravels a familiar yet subtle migration story of maternal sacrifice, loss and love, yet to be seen in Irish cinema.

For references on long-distance motherhood and women, migration and caregiving, see 'more info'.  You can also visit the official 'Promise and Unrest' website.

Festival Screenings 2010

Jameson Dublin international Film Festival, Real to Reel Section, Cineworld, Premiere Screening, 19 February.

11th EASA Biennial Conference, NUI Maynooth, 24 -27 August.

DMZ Korean Documentary Film Festival, Paju City, Korea, International Competition, 9- 13 September.

Cambridge Film Festival, UK, Documentary Section, 25 September.

16th International Film Festival ETNOFILM CADCA 2010, Slovakia, Main Competition, 29 September - 02 October.

San Diego Asian Film Festival, Jury Competition, USA, 21-28 October.

Waterford Fiim Festival, Ireland, 06 November

 

Festival Screenings 2011

Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, Ireland, 15 February

Days of Ethnographic Film Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 7-11 March

Jean Rouch Film Festival, Paris, France, 7 - 12 November