Sunshine is a rising gymnastics star, praised as a top contender for the national Olympic team. But just before the final selection, she senses something wrong with her body. A pregnancy test confirms her worst fear—she is pregnant. Her dream of competing in the Olympics suddenly hangs by a thread. As her performance begins to slip, the situation grows direr. In the Philippines, abortion is illegal under any circumstances. Her irresponsible boyfriend acts immaturely. One of her close friends, pressured by her strict mother, begins to shut her out. Alone, Sunshine wanders the backstreets near a church, where a banner declares "Abortion is a sin," searching desperately for underground abortion pills. Then, a mysterious girl appears by her side. Each time Sunshine is overwhelmed by fear, anger, or guilt, the girl speaks piercing words that seem to know exactly what she's feeling.
Director Antoinette Jadaone made her feature debut with Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay (2011), a mockumentary about the life of an aging, little-known actress. She later gained wider recognition with films like Fan Girl (2020), which tells the story of a fan meeting her idol—told through a distinctly female perspective. Her latest work, Sunshine, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, captures both the harsh reality faced by Filipino women and the bold energy that comes from confronting that reality head-on.
Set against the crowded streets and impoverished neighborhoods overflowing with life, the film adds depth to its central conflict. The women around Sunshine, especially Sunshine's older sister, expand the story's emotional scope and bring strength to its narrative.
Winner of the Silver Bear at this year's Berlinale, Sunshine will make its Korean premiere at the 27th SIWFF, offering a powerful reflection on the present moment of Asian women's cinema.
