Kim Angela A. Santos

Ta Dutdotmo Kalilibnusan follows Duds, a once-promising painter who now survives on small painting jobs to make ends meet. He lives a quiet but difficult life with his devoted wife, Feling, whose sacrifices keep their household afloat. As his health declines and his hands begin to tremble, Duds struggles with a growing creative block and withdraws from the people around him. His attention becomes consumed by an unfinished painting of a waterfalls and the image of a mysterious woman who repeatedly appears in his thoughts and visions. Believing that she holds the key to completing his work, Duds becomes increasingly obsessed with finding her. While Feling continues to care for him and fight for their relationship, Duds loses his grip on reality and spirals toward violence and self-destruction. The film is a story about trauma, memory, and the devastating consequences of wounds left unhealed.

When visiting the Cordillera Region, we cannot resist to be welcomed by the genuine smiles of the local people. You have probably seen their red-stained smiles, and this is because of their practice – betel nut chewing. Betel nut chewing has been a part of the culture of Cordillera and it’s custom has been passed on through generations. City Painted in Red delves on the betel nut culture of Cordillera and the effect of this practice to one’s health and to the society. Despite all the ordinances and memorandums released by the government, proper implementation of it is not taken seriously. Is it really an issue of discipline, or an issue of preserving one’s culture and tradition?