Directed by Erin Hembrador

Logline: An optimistic Filipina woman who has just immigrated to Canada is excited to try an apple for the first time. Similar to her experiences as a new immigrant, the apple isn't what she expected.

Synopsis: Ana, a Filipina woman has just immigrated to Canada. Upon her arrival she is filled with optimism and excitement. When she spots an apple she is eager to try it, as it is the fruit she has seen in so many western movies. Coming from a rural area in the Philippines, apples are not very common. After finally trying one she realizes the fruits in the Philippines are so much better. This reflects her experiences as a new Immigrant. At first she was excited to start a new life in Canada, but as time goes by she realizes she longs for her family and life back home.

Distribution Contact: WFG

More Details

RUNTIME: 13 Minutes
GENRE: Narrative, Fiction
PRODUCTION FORMAT: HD
LANGUAGE: English, Tagalog
LOCATION: Manitoba
KEYWORDS: Women, Immigration, Family, Newcomer, Philippines, Diaspora, Home, Culturally Diverse Filmmaker, Female Filmmaker

Director's Statement: Mansanas means apple in Tagalog and the idea for the film was inspired by a story my Dad told me. My Dad immigrated to Winnipeg from the Philippines in the late 80's after marrying my Mom who had been in Canada since the 70's. In the Philippines my Dad worked on the family Farm where they grew mangoes, papayas, pineapples and other common Asian fruits. When I was younger he told me that one thing he was looking forward to upon his arrival in Canada was tasting an apple. There are apples in the Philippines but they're not as common and it's the fruit he most associated with Western countries. Unfortunately when he finally tasted an apple he was quite underwhelmed and felt the fruits he grew up with were much better.

This story made me think of how his experience of tasting an apple for the first time has similarities to what immigrants feel when moving to Canada. At first, people may feel excited and optimistic about their new future only to quickly realize that they long for the home they left behind.

I've been to the Philippines a total of three times, the most recent was in 2015. It was the first time I was there as an adult and being immersed in the Country allowed me to see first hand the poverty many face. But the one thing I noticed is that in the Philippines, many people who have so little still manage to make the most out of their lives and are always so kind and happy.
My parents, like so many others, immigrated to Winnipeg in hopes of a better future. They grew up with very little and Canada was the ticket to a better life. But when the time comes to reminisce about their childhood “back home" they have nothing but wonderful things to say.

Mansanas follows Anna, a Filipina who has just arrived in Canada. She is excited and takes pride in whatever work comes her way so she can send money to the Philippines. But overtime she realizes that her new home is filled with loneliness and longing for home.