In a small coastal village in the Philippines, Mona’s mom works as a professional mourner-for-hire. She is popular for her great performances. Mona trains under her mother but faces a hurdle that seems to be insurmountable. From a certain moment in her childhood, she somehow lost the ability to cry. Mona retreats from her mother who cannot understand her daughter and tries to find the reason. The film delivers the message that if we are to cry for others for our solidarity to express comfort and catharsis, we must be able to cry for ourselves first. If we cannot understand our own feelings, how can we sympathize with the pain of others? Mona’s job training is tough but it helps her grow up.

2021 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (상)

Don Josephus Raphael EBLAHAN

Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan attended the School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University, Chicago. In 2019, Eblahan attended the 55th Chicago International Film Festival for his short film, winning CineYouth's Best Experimental Film. In addition to writing and directing, Eblahan also performs as a musician, a street photographer, and a poster designer.