In the documentary Who We Become: A Story of Kapwa (currently streaming on Netflix), queer, first-generation Filipinx American filmmaker PJ Raval examines the lives of three young Filipino American women—Lauren Yap, Monica Silverio and Jenah Maravilla—in Texas who come into political consciousness and experience self-discovery during the COVID pandemic. ("Kapwa" is a Tagalog term that means "togetherness" or "neighbor.")
In a statement, Raval said, "Along with changing times come new possibilities and new forms of storytelling—and what better way to capture one's story than to collaborate closely with the protagonists themselves who are using their everyday tools to share their everyday stories."
Raval recently spoke with Windy City Times to explain Who We Become in more detail.
NOTE: This conversation was edited for clarity and length.
Windy City Times: This film is really thought-provoking and it brought back some memories about the pandemic. How did you connect with Ava DuVernay and how did you decide on these three particular women to focus on? [Note: Who We Become was sold to DuVernay's Array Releasing.]
PJ Raval: Well, right before the pandemic, Ava DuVernay and Array—who are based in Los Angeles—had a weekend when they programmed Filipino and Filipino American films. It was curated by Marie Jamora, who is also an amazing filmmaker and runs a screening series called "Cinema Sala." ("Sala," in Tagalog, means "living room.") The program also included one of my former films—Call Her Ganda, which is a feature documentary about a trans woman in the Philippines who was brutally murdered by a U.S. Marine, and it was a real look into U.S. imperialism in the Philippines.
So I screened the film, met the whole Array team and—let me tell you—they are some really amazing, unapologetic women of color who are truly transforming the industry. From that point on, they paid attention to what I was working on. They later approached me about [distributing this movie], it was one of the best things that could happen a) to me as a filmmaker and b) for this film, in general. I could not think of a better partner to work with; these women understand the power of transforming communities.
WCT: Lauren, Monica and Jenah definitely have their similarities and differences. Lauren is the only one who's a member of the queer community, correct?
Raval: Well—openly, yes. I don't know about the other two, to be honest.
WCT: One of the similarities they share is [approximate] age. But you also show how other generations think [about protesting, etc.].
Raval: Yeah. The viewer meets the three protagonists. Lauren is just about to graduate from college and there's a storyline about how she's hesitant to go home and experience her graduation on Zoom. Of course, it ends up becoming a real moment of reflection with her family.
Then we meet Monica, who's a few years older. In my opinion, Monica is just coming into a certain political consciousness, realizing that her viewpoint of the world and [thoughts] about civic engagement are different [from] her parents'. And with the murder of George Floyd, Monica is inspired to go to what she tells her family is a peaceful protest—and her parents challenge her and [advise] her to stay home. But she goes against her parents' wishes, which is a step of courage right there.
Then we meet Jenah, who's older than Monica. She's been a nurse and becomes a full-time community organizer, but she reflects on her choices and wonders if she did the right thing. It was very intentional of me to put them in that [order], because it's almost like seeing one individual go through different stages of growth. So the project and film became this idea about the three of them in different stages of life and how they're navigating life, embracing who they are, recognizing their families' [differences] and still keeping those bonds.
WCT: As a documentarian, were there times when you wanted to intervene but you had to hold yourself back?
Raval: Yes! Part of what's exciting about being a documentary filmmaker is that you have no idea what's going to happen. But part of it is also honoring that you're witnessing someone else's experience. I recognize that there are choices I would make but also that these are the choices someone else is making—and it's important to share the importance of those decisions. So that is what keeps me from jumping in front of the camera and saying, "Hey!" [Smiles] It's about respecting the moment and respecting someone else's experience.
WCT: The title of the film is Who We Become. Did you find yourself becoming someone else during filming?
Raval: Always—absolutely. What's interesting is that I make films that are about other people and, in an interesting way, they're always personal to me. There's a reason why this story speaks to me but what's also interesting is that each person's thoughts become a time capsule for me. For me, making films is a time capsule; they make me think about who I was when I made each movie—I think about what I learned and how I grew from it.
This film is no different. I made this film right as the pandemic was emerging and, as we all know, we have all collectively changed in many different directions, even a few years later. So, yes, the film is a time capsule of my own experience. I definitely experienced a change.
WCT: I interviewed another documentarian recently about a film that is a sequel to a previous film—Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later. Are you intrigued by the idea of following where the lives of your [protagonists] are years later?
Raval: Oh, maybe! Maybe this is the inspiration I need. [Laughs]
WCT: I want my credit. [Both laugh.]
Raval: We'll talk after. Yeah, you never know. What's interesting is that I mentioned a previous film I made—Call Her Ganda. I created an [outline] for this film about where things are two or three years later. But 10 years later—who knows? But I'll add more to your suggestion: Wouldn't it be interesting if one of the protagonists made a film for the next iteration? All of them are storytellers as well so it doesn't have to be me, necessarily. I'm going to pass that on.
WCT: There are so many lessons in this film. What's one thing you hope people take away from it?
Raval: I really hope that people think about this film under the concept of love.
I think a lot of it has to do with the idea that we hold these relationships—sometimes with family members, sometimes with chosen family members, community members or friends—and we have to understand our differences. We may have very different viewpoints, whether it's politics or the decisions of how we live our lives. And unless it's something that's causing harm to another person, we have to respect our differences. Being able to do that and still have that connection is truly a form of love.
Right now, we're living in such a turbulent time. It feels so divided right now that having a connection is important. I'm also speaking as a queer person of color who lives in Texas. I'm living in a very specific area and it's important for me to say, "Hello, world! People like me live here. People like me are experiencing certain things." Maybe people can learn from witnessing those experiences and can be inspired to speak to their families.
Ultimately, this film is about this idea of all of us being connected, somehow. I'm specifically looking at the Filipino American community and this concept that all Filipinos have this unbreakable bond, but it's really about humanity and what connects us, as human beings. For me, it was also important to make this film during the pandemic because it was a time period when people were really reflecting and thinking about what's important in their lives, and what the care is that's needed to keep these people in our lives.
WCT: Is there anything you want to add about yourself, your movie or your vision?
Raval: Yeah. Speaking as a queer person, I made a film years ago—and same-sex marriage wasn't legal; then, it became legal. I happened to be in Harlem when New York passed same-sex marriage, which led to nationwide [law]. But there was also a time when abortion rights were being upheld and protected. Times change and they can change so wildly, and queer people know that. It's so easy for some of these things to change and slip away. Being a queer person of color in the United States, I never forget that. And I think living through the COVID-19 pandemic is proof of that for everyone.
So, for me, making these films is a reminder that I'm highlighting the work of people who are contributing to good social change, and it's about respecting rights and educating ourselves. I hope that I'm contributing to this overall movement that the queer community has been doing for as long as it's existed. I'm just honored to be part of it.
