Islands (2013)

A poetic Filipino sci-fi film where astronauts, myth, and memory converge in an exploration of love's quiet, irresistible gravity.

Islands - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Islands
  • Release Year: 2013
  • Directed by: Whammy Alcazaren
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Sci-Fi
  • Runtime: 2h 4m
  • Original Language: Tagalog
  • Spoken Languages: Tagalog
  • Release Date (Theatrical): November 14, 2013 (Philippines)
  • Production Companies: Cinema One Originals
  • Production Countries: Philippines

Islands - Plot

ISLANDS explores a cinematic journey of two astronauts. As they enter Earth's atmosphere the structure transforms. The spacecraft becomes the meteor from a myth of a tribesman; it triggers an old lady's memory of a lover from her past. As these diverse characters converge in a plane of reality, we confront a particular form of gravity we covertly feel—falling in love.

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Islands - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Whammy Alcazaren

Main Cast

  • Adrian Alandy
  • Benjamin Alves
  • Irma Adlawan
  • Peque Gallaga
  • Acey Aguilar
  • Meryll Soriano
  • Marita Zobel
  • Anna Luna
  • Jhiz Deocareza

Writers

  • Whammy Alcazaren
  • Giancarlo Abrahan

Producers

  • Rita Vargas
  • Paolo Alcazaren
  • Alemberg Ang

Islands - FAQs

What is Islands (2013) about?

Islands follows two astronauts as they re-enter Earth's atmosphere, their spacecraft transforming into a mythic meteor that stirs an old woman's memories of a long-lost love. The film weaves together myth, memory, and longing to explore the quiet, irresistible gravity of falling in love.

Who directed the 2013 Filipino film Islands?

Islands was directed by Whammy Alcazaren, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Giancarlo Abrahan. The film was produced under Cinema One Originals, the Philippines' celebrated platform for bold, independent Filipino cinema.

Who are the main actors in Islands?

The cast includes Adrian Alandy as Hunter, Benjamin Alves as an Astronaut, Irma Adlawan as the Widow's daughter, Peque Gallaga as a Director, Meryll Soriano as the Woman on the Shore, and Marita Zobel as the Widow, among others.

How does Islands blend science fiction and mythology?

The film reimagines a returning spacecraft as the meteor from a tribal myth, collapsing the boundary between the cosmic and the personal. This poetic device lets science fiction serve as a vessel for folklore and emotional memory, making the fantastical feel deeply intimate and grounded.

When was Islands released in the Philippines?

Islands had its Philippine release on November 14, 2013. It was produced by Cinema One Originals, the annual festival and production arm known for championing daring, artistically ambitious Filipino independent films.

What themes does Islands explore?

At its heart, Islands is about love and loneliness — the invisible gravity that draws people together across time and space. Through converging storylines, the film meditates on longing, memory, and the way certain feelings quietly shape us without our ever fully realizing it.

What genre is the film Islands?

Islands is a science fiction film, though it wears the genre lightly. Rather than spectacle, it uses sci-fi imagery — astronauts, spacecraft, atmospheric reentry — as poetic metaphor to explore deeply human emotions like longing, memory, and the mysterious pull of love.

What are films similar to Islands (2013)?

If Islands resonates with you, you might also enjoy 2046 (2004), Vanilla Sky (2001), The Butterfly Effect (2004), Sleep Dealer (2008), Climates (2006), and Edward Scissorhands (1990) — films that similarly blend genre elements with introspective, emotionally layered storytelling.

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