"Senakulo" - A Film By Aaron Laserna (2023-2025)

Hello Everyone,

I hope this message finds you all well and in strong spirits. My name is Aaron Laserna, the director, writer, and executive producer of the upcoming experimental documentary art film, “HAMPAS DUGO”. I will be working alongside a team comprised of very close friends and family alike to fully manifest this grand vision. I truly believe this project will be one of the most important artistic contributions in history, and even more specifically, Filipino history.

NARRATIVE SUMMARY:

Semana Santana. Holy Week. A time ripe for reflection, repentance, atonement, commemoration, and gratitude. Each year, men from a select number of provinces throughout the Philippines partake in a Penance ceremony named “Hampas Dugo”, a procession through village streets involving self-inflicted pain and mutilation. It serves as a physical and spiritual offering to God, as these men seek cleansing and deliverance of their sins through the process.

The structure of the narrative will be told through three acts: I. Prayer, Meditation, & Preparation, II. Procession & Penance, III. Cleansing, Healing & Reflection.

Subtextual narratives investigating colonization, Catholicism, cultural identity, class systems, the current political landscape of the Philippines, and the Director’s personal connection with the ceremony will interweave through the primary skeletal narrative.

INTENSIVE REFLECTION & PHILOSOPHY

Why am I working on this project? What is it that is drawing me so strongly to believe that this will be my seminal, and true debut to not only the art world - but the world as a whole?

I first witnessed this ceremony for myself - back in the Spring of 2004, the week my Grandfather was laid to rest in my grandparents province of Hagonoy, Bulacan. Almost 17 years later, I will be revisiting this event with a mission, and a more refined and mature eye to realize that mission.

With the intimate guidance of God, artistic mentors, and friends & family, I’ve reached a level of heightened, acute awareness over my work throughout this year. I have been working to answer intensively profound questions regarding the future of my artistry, my body of work, and the space in which I will transcend and occupy. Those questions tackled internal and external curiosities regarding my ethnic and racial identity, as well as my spiritual existence and religious identity. These questions will be explored throughout the film and photography series.

FILM GOALS

Principal photography will be held over a 3-week period of time, approximately from March 15th, 2024 and expected to end on April 6th, 2024, with post-production to immediately follow in May of 2024.

The estimated date of completion will be determined in the summer of 2024, with an approximate film-run time of 33:33.

Upon completion, the film will enter the international film festival circuit. Screenings will be organized in the Philippines, to re-contextualize the work back into the place that it was created. A run of screenings will also follow stateside, for donors, supporters, and newcomers alike.

FUNDRAISING GOALS

My team and I have incredibly ambitious goals for this film. For this to come to fruition, we will need every ounce of your help in achieving them. We are humbly asking any and everyone to donate to our project as we desire to raise at least $100,000 before February 28, 2024, with a grand goal of $250,000 across all financial support. Our goal will be reached via crowdfunding, film & artistic grants, private investments, and organization and foundation support.

FUNDRAISING DISTRIBUTION

Funds raised via GoFundMe will be utilized towards:

Pre-Production

Ideation, Research, and Creative Development

Production Crew

International Travel Expenditures

Film & Entertainment Insurance

Personal Liability Insurance

Accommodations

Production

Cinema Level A & B Cameras (Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Alexa 35)

SteadiCam, Electric & Production Equipment

Sound Engineering & Recording Equipment

Still Photography

Craft Services & Field / On-Site Travel

Post-Production

Film Editing & Footage Archival Processing

Film Scoring and Original Music

Sound Design & Engineering

Industry Standard Color Grading

Graphic Design & Promotional Material

FINAL NOTE OF GRATITUDE

We want to thank you all incredibly for your support, whether it be financially, spiritually, emotionally, or verbally. Our souls and sight are ready to lean into one of our most challenging endeavors to date. With your help, you will continue to fuel our desire to change the world, and push our audience towards a deeper engagement with their own faith journey.

Many blessings,

Aaron Laserna