CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE
​TO DIE
​​​​​by  Sam Manacsa

17min | Philippines | 2023

Mila struggles as she remains unpaid at work and finds comfort in a love interest through his constant phone calls. But a promise of hope may also lead to tragedy
and sad love songs.

Year of production 2023
Length 17'
Country Philippines
Shooting Format Digital
Aspect Ratio 1:78:1
Dialogue Tagalog
​
Director Sam Manacsa​
Producers Chad Cabigon, Carlo Francisco Manatad
Executive Producers Roberto Manacsa Jr., Antonitte Celeste Manacsa, Mara Bernaldo
Screenwriter Sam Manacsa​
Cinematographer Martika Ramirez-Escobar
Editor Carlo Francisco Manatad
Production Designer Whammy Alcazaren
Sound Design and Mixing Sum-Sum Shen, Ilya Selikhov 
Colorist Yov Moor
Line Producer Noni Abao
​Cast Jorybell Agoto, Aje Candelaria, Vincent Pajara, Rexon Anyayahan, Carla Zarcal

Festival selections
​​​​Venezia 80 - Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica, Orizzonti Short Films Competition 2023, Italy - World Premiere
Orvieto Cinema Fest 2023, Italy - SNCCI Award
Kaohsiung Film Festival 2023, Taiwan
El Gouna Film Festival 2023, Egypt
​
Director's Statement
There are dire consequences in a culture devoid of empathy and morality. But who will be there to witness it and suffer?
This chronicles a woman in her struggles, of oppression that stems from a semblance of entitlement, and the depths of desperation where it leads to, grasping onto anything that may provide solace.

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