Screenshot from the film Yawyaw ni JP (Murmurs of Discontent). Watch this and nine other films on Cinemata.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose huge global and local challenges, greatly affecting groups in vulnerable situations such as frontline workers, people living in poverty, political activists, and indigenous communities. Since the start of the crisis, marginalised groups have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s health, social, and economic impact. As year two of the global outbreak draws to a close, these issues remain unaddressed. It becomes even more necessary to continue capturing and documenting the times we are living in.

EngageMedia curates a collection of short films that magnifies the daily struggles of individuals and communities during these challenging times, and reflects the wide-ranging impact of the pandemic in ways that are both apparent and invisible.

“Portraits of a Pandemic” holds space for stories that portray with care and nuance the effects of the COVID-19 crisis in the Asia-Pacific. The 10 films from the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Cambodia cover stories on human rights abuses stemming from lockdown measures and the curtailment of media, to inadequate health care and food security for marginalised communities:

1. Nasaan Sila, Nasaan ang Virus (Where are They? Where is the Virus?)
2. Victim Diaries: Tuniyah, Indonesia
3. Inside Out | Tong Isolation Diary Quarantine
4. Gone and Back
5. Solo
6. Yawyaw ni JP (Murmurs of Discontent)
7. River of Tears and Rage
8. Shooting Covid-19: Media Frontliners in Manila
9. Ngayon ang Panahon (Now is the Time)
10. So Masa o Paniyakit – Beyond the Frontlines of Amai Pakpak Medical Center

Before stepping into the new year, there is no better time to ask ourselves: How do we move forward from here? How do we rise and build a better society onwards? We hope that these films would encourage people to reflect on the unequal impact of the pandemic on various segments of society, and inspire collective action and advocacy.