Cartas de la Soledad (2011)

Cartas de la Soledad 2011 / Cartas de la Soledad 2011 / Letters of Solitude

Rashid Ali returns to his Maguindanao hometown after studying and working for more than 25 years in Barcelona, Spain. Idealistic, he dreams of using what he learned in Europe to improve the lives of his people. But nothing has changed since he left. Politicians remain corrupt, poverty is widespread, his people desperate. Frustrated, Rashid retreats to a decrepit family villa far away from town, with Racma the housemaid as his only companion. Their only connection to the world is Andal the family servant who delivers their weekly rations and Malik the postman. In seclusion, Rashid writes to himself detailing the affairs of his day, combining his own experience and his opinion of the radio news everyday. These letters — written in Spanish — serve as Rashid’s memories, and his remaining connection to his adopted home. The act of writing becomes a refuge until an imminent war threatens the serenity. (Source: Bidadali House on Vimeo)