The Critically-Acclaimed Film ‘Lingua Franca’ Is Finally Showing in the Philippines Next Month

Isabel Sandoval’s film about a trans Filipino immigrant has been making waves in film festivals abroad

Renee Nuevo

October 17, 2020, 10:22 AM

Sometime this year, you might have heard about the film Lingua Franca. It recently premiered on Netflix in the United States, and it follows the story of an undocumented trans caregiver who marries in order to obtain a green card. It’s been hailed by various publications and film fests, from Time Magazine to Rolling Stone and from Melbourne Queer Film Festival to BFI London Film Festival.

After making waves in North America and international festivals, Lingua Franca comes home. Catch its Philippine premiere in @cinema76fs on November 6, 2020. A film by @Isabelvsandoval.#ProudlyTBA pic.twitter.com/wJGNDFxsa8
— TBA Studios (@TBAStudiosPH) October 16, 2020

Directed by and starring Isabel Sandoval, Lingua Franca has been referred to as a “transgender love story, told tenderly and lyrically,” and “a gorgeous and delicate picture.” Ava DuVernay, director of Selma and A Wrinkle in Time, plays a hand in the film’s distribution through her company ARRAY, and has expressed pride for the feature.

I am beyond proud to distribute LINGUA FRANCA, a film that Time Magazine calls “a gorgeous and delicate picture.” Written, edited, produced, starring and directed by the indefatigable @Isabelvsandoval. Debuting tomorrow on @Netflix via @ARRAYNow! pic.twitter.com/EEDwU5JLkL
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 26, 2020

Next month, Lingua Franca will finally be showing in the Philippines. It premieres at Cinema ’76 on November 6, with specific details yet to be announced. In the meantime, check out the trailer below: