Garland Cultural Arts is set to bring the local debut of Bahala Na (Whatever Happens, Happens), a film that follows the journey of a mixed-race documentarian grappling with his cultural identity. The screening, slated for October 21 at the Plaza Theatre, marks not just a hometown return for filmmaker Andrew Orticio but also a celebration of Filipino American History Month. Entry to the event is free, indicating an inclusive approach to sharing Orticio's introspective work with the wider community.
Post-screening, there's a scheduled Q&A featuring Orticio himself. This conversation will be handled by Thomas Schubert, executive director of the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, and a seasoned instructor at Garland High School's Reel Owl Cinema program. It's an opportunity for attendees to dive deeper into the film's production and themes.
Bahala Na centers on Orticio's visit to his father's village in the Philippines, an experience that offers him a profound connection to his heritage. The film casts a personal lens on the broader issues of race and identity, a timely intervention given the current national conversation. Orticio's candid approach brings forward a story that many, especially those of mixed heritage, might find themselves relating to, as he navigates his mixed Filipino and White ethnicity both in America and the Philippines.
Andrew Orticio's pedigree includes a film education from both Garland High School's Reel Owl Cinema and UT Austin's RTF program. His past involvement with Paramount, NEON, and Richard Linklater's Detour Filmproductions has been stepping stones leading to his recent work in communications at Texas Archive of the Moving Image. His filmography boasts upwards of 25 shorts and multiple production roles, but Bahala Na is his full-length directorial breakout—a deeply personal narrative captured through his lens in an unguarded, documentary style that resonates with authenticity.
For those interested, details about the screening are available on Garland's official site. The hometown premiere, aside from being a cinematic event, is a testament to Orticio's journey as a multicultural storyteller—in his truthful expression of being biracial, a filmmaker, and a metaphorical bridge between his diverse worlds.
