Isabel Sandoval
Isabel Sandoval is a Filipina filmmaker and actress who lives in the United States. She directed the films Señorita (2011), Aparisyon (2012) and Lingua Franca (2019). She also directed a short film called Shangri-La (2021) as part of the Miu Miu's Women's Tales series of female-directed short films commissioned by the fashion brand.
Early life and education
Sandoval was born in 1982 in Cebu City in the Philippines.[1]
As a child, Sandoval would go with her mother to a movie palace in the Philippines and watch comedy films such as those by Dolphy; this ignited her passion for film.[citation needed]
She graduated summa cum laude from the University of San Carlos,[2] then moved to New York City.[3] There, she earned an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business.[2][4] She transitioned in 2014.[2][5]
Career
In 2011, Sandoval directed Señorita, a film about a trans woman working on a political campaign and raising a young boy. She played the film's protagonist, though she was not out as trans at the time, and has said that the role helped her realize her identity.[2][3][6] In 2012, she directed the film Aparisyon (Apparition), starring popular actresses Jodi Sta. Maria and Mylene Dizon, about a convent of nuns in a remote area of the Philippines in 1971, just before the declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos.[7][8][9] In these first two films, she was credited as Vincent Sandoval.[2]
In 2019, she directed the film Lingua Franca, which she shot in 16 days in Brooklyn, New York, starring herself, Eamon Farren and Lynn Cohen.[10] In the film, Sandoval plays an undocumented Filipina trans woman who falls in love with the adult grandson of the elderly woman for whom she is working as a caregiver.[10] Sandoval became the first out trans woman of color to compete at the Venice Film Festival when Lingua Franca premiered there.[8][10][11] The film won the award for best narrative feature at the Bentonville Film Festival, and was released by ARRAY and streamed on Netflix.[10][11] Sandoval was named Best Actress at the 18th International Cinephile Society Awards,[12] and at the Pacific Meridian International Film Festival.[2]
In 2021, Sandoval wrote and directed Shangri-La (filmed in two months), a short film commissioned by the Miu Miu Women's Tales project which asks female directors to examine "femininity in the 21st century", releasing it in February 2021.[8][10][13] Like Lingua Franca, Shangri-La deals with forbidden love and racial prejudice.[8][13] The same year, she signed with Creative Artists Agency.[10]
Sandoval is also developing a drama for FX, Vespertine,[10] and a film, Tropical Gothic, about the haunting of a Spanish conquistador in the 16th century Philippines and based on the 1972 short story collection of the same name by Nick Joaquin.[3][6][14] In March 2021, Tropical Gothic won the VFF talent highlight award at the Berlinale, worth 10,000 euros towards its production.[15][16] She is also currently directing an episode of the FX drama series, Under The Banner Of Heaven, which stars Andrew Garfield.[17][18]
Styles and themes
Influences
Sandoval was inspired by the style and work of films that depict the impossible love relationship. She enjoyed watching Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai's film, In the Mood for Love (2000), for its profound melancholy. Her concept of emotional destination was the profound theme that influenced her. She wanted to express the elicit emotions that were very distinctive, singular, and also complex like no other films were made before. She learned and gotten help from her mentor, Ava DuVernay with the styles of work she has made which Sandoval pursued herself to the extent of her storytelling journey. There were other in styles in particular that influenced her was Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Then there was News from Home (1977) by Chantal Akerman, and Klute (1971) by Alan J. Pakula.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Actor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Señorita | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [19] |
| 2012 | Aparisyon | Yes | Yes | No | No | [20] |
| 2019 | Lingua Franca | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [21] |
| 2021 | Shangri-La | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [22] |
| TBA | Tropical Gothic | Yes | Yes | No | No | [23] |
Awards and nominations
| Awards | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Film Festival | 2019 | Narrative Feature | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Bentonville Film Festival | 2020 | Best Narrative | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Cabourg Romantic Film Festival | 2020 | Best Film | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Chéries-Chéries | 2019 | Feature Film | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival | 2012 | Best Film - New Breed | Aparisyon | Nominated | |
| Cinemanila International Film Festival | 2011 | Lino Brocka Award/Digital Lokal | Señorita | Nominated | |
| Deauville Asian Film Festival | 2013 | Audience Award | Aparisyon | Won
Nominated |
|
| Film Independent Spirit Awards | 2021 | John Cassavetes Award (shared with Darlene Catly Malimas, Jhett Tolentino, Carlo Velayo) | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics | 2021 | Trailblazer Award | Won | ||
| Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Awards | 2020 | Breaktrhough Performance | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Hamburg Film Festival | 2019 | Sichtwechsel Film Award | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Hawaii International Film Festival | 2012 | Netpac Award | Aparisyon | Won | |
| International Cinephile Society Awards | 2021 | Best Actress | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Best Director | Nominated | ||||
| Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Locarno International Film Festival | 2011 | Golden Leopard - Filmmakers of the Present | Señorita | Nominated | |
| London Film Festival | 2019 | Official Competition | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Molodist International Film Festival | 2020 | Special Jury Diploma | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Best LGBTQ Film | Nominated | ||||
| Mons International Festival of Love Films | 2020 | International Competition | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival | 2020 | Best Feature Film | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Pacific Meridian International Film Festival of Asia Pacific Countries | 2020 | Best Actress | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Pusan International Film Festival | 2012 | New Currents Award | Aparisyon | Nominated | |
| Queer Lisboa - Festival Internacional de Cinema Queer | 2020 | Best Feature Film | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| SoHo International Film Festival | 2010 | Best Showcase Short Film | Señorita | Nominated | |
| Thessaloniki Film Festival | 2019 | Mermaid Award | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| TLVFest - The Tel Aviv International LGBTQ Film Festival | 2020 | Best Film | Lingua Franca | Won | |
| Vancouver International Film Festival | 2011 | Dragons and Tigers Award | Señorita | Nominated | |
| Venice Film Festival | 2019 | Best Film (Venice Days) | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Queer Lion | Nominated | ||||
| Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival | 2020 | Narrative Feature | Lingua Franca | Nominated | |
| Young Critics Circle, Philippines | 2020 | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role
Best Screenplay Best Achievement in Film Editing |
Lingua Franca | Won
Nominated Nominated Nominated |
|
| 2013 | Best Screen Play (shared with Jerry Garcio)
Best Achievement in Film Editing (shared with Jarrold Tarog) |
Aparisyon | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Film
Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Best Screenplay (shared with Roy Sevilla Ho[writer]) |
Señorita | Nominated |
See also
References
- ^ Clarisse Fabre, "« Brooklyn Secret » : une migrante transgenre au pays de Donald Trump", July 1, 2020, Le Monde
- ^ a b c d e f Rito P. Asilo, "Trans woman of substance", November 23, 2020, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- ^ a b c Jen Yamato, "Introducing Isabel Sandoval: The ‘Lingua Franca’ filmmaker on her indie drama", September 7, 2020, Los Angeles Times
- ^ "NYWIFT Talks with Director Isabel Sandoval", January 5, 2021, New York Women in Film and Television
- ^ Eugene S. Robinson, "How Making a Film Led Isabel Sandoval to Come Out as Trans", October 19, 2020, OZY
- ^ a b Dino-Ray Ramos, "‘Lingua Franca’ Director Isabel Sandoval Is “Seizing The Opportunity” To Showcase Filipino Narratives", August 25, 2020, Deadline
- ^ Jeannette Catsoulis, "In ‘Apparition,’ a Philippine Drama, Nuns Face Civil Strife", July 9, 2013, New York Times
- ^ a b c d Erica Gonzales, "Director Isabel Sandoval Wants to Shed Light on Invisible Women", February 24, 2021, Harper's Bazaar
- ^ "Apparition (Aparisyon): Busan Review", October 7, 2012, Hollywood Reporter
- ^ a b c d e f g Angelique Jackson, "‘Lingua Franca’ Filmmaker Isabel Sandoval Signs With CAA (EXCLUSIVE)", February 16, 2021, Variety
- ^ a b Carole Horst, "Immigration and Transgender Issues Fuel Isabel Sandoval’s Drama ‘Lingua Franca’", August 26, 2020, Variety
- ^ "Isabel Sandoval hailed best actress by International Cinephile Society", February 23, 2021, ABS-CBN News
- ^ a b Sophie Shaw, "Filmmaker Isabel Sandoval Explores Forbidden Love in Miu Miu Tales' New Short Film", February 23, 2021, L'Officiel
- ^ Jacqueline Arias, "‘Lingua Franca’ director Isabel Sandoval to helm ‘Tropical Gothic’ drama set in 16th century Philippines", February 19, 2021, NME
- ^ "Isabel Sandoval wins production award in Berlin", March 9, 2021, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- ^ Michael Rosser, "Annemarie Jacir’s ‘The Oblivion Theory’ wins Berlinale Co-Production Market award", March 3, 2021, Screen Daily
- ^ FX’s UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN Series Filming in Didsbury, Ab.
- ^ "FX Drama 'Under the Banner of Heaven' Taps 'Lingua Franca's' Isabel Sandoval to Direct (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 3 November 2021.
- ^ [1] IMDb.
- ^ [2] IMDb.
- ^ [3] IMDb
- ^ Shaw, Sophie (February 24, 2021). "'Filmmaker Isabel Sandoval Explores Forbidden Love in Miu Miu Tales' New Short Film '". L'Officiel USA. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ Arias, Jacqueline (February 19, 2021). "Lingua Franca' director Isabel Sandoval to helm 'Tropical Gothic' drama set in 16th century Philippines '". NME. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
Further reading
- Tauer, Kristen. "Eye: Isabel Sandoval on Directing 'Shangri-La' For Miu Miu Women's Tale'." WWD, (2021):29-. Print
- Macnab, G. (2019). ‘Lingua franca’ director isabel sandoval lines up next project ‘Park lane’ (exclusive). Screen International, ProQuest 2301102622
- How Trump's Presidency Helped Shape Isabel Sandoval's “Lingua Franca” Movie.(Broadcast Transcript). Washington, D.C: National Public Radio, Inc. (NPR), 2020. Print.
- Dalton, B. (2019). Luxbox boards isabel Sandoval's venice days premiere ‘Lingua franca’ (exclusive). Screen International, ProQuest 2268074900
- Morgenstern, J. (2020, Aug 27). 'Lingua franca' review: Looking for love; A filipina caregiver hopes to find a husband, and thereby a green card, in isabel sandoval's touching feature. Wall Street Journal ProQuest 2437556233
- Sandoval, Isabel. (20xx). "Meet Isabel Sandoval", Passerbuys: real recommendations, real people. http://www.passerbuys.com/profiles/isabel-sandoval, Biography.
External links
- Isabel Sandoval at IMDb
- Isabel Sandoval at Black Dog Films