Watch Transit

Transit is a 2013 Filipino drama film directed by Hannah Espia. The movie tells the story of a Filipino family who is living in Israel, trying to live their lives as normal as possible amidst the political turmoil happening around them. The movie follows the story of Moises, a Filipino caregiver who decides to leave Israel to go back to the Philippines after his employer passed away. He brings with him the children he took care of, Joshua and Yael, who are actually not his children but are under his care. Joshua is a teenager who is set to attend college in Israel while Yael is still in her primary school years.

The family’s decision to leave Israel follows the Israeli government’s decision to deport all foreign workers’ children who are living in Israel without legal documentation. The family suddenly finds themselves caught in the middle of a battle for identity and citizenship as they are forced to confront their current state of being stateless. The film tackles the realities of the struggles of migrant families, specifically the complexities of their legal status as they attempt to live a stable life.

The story is deeply rooted in the immigrant experience – the longing, the need for place and a sense of belonging, and the search for identity. As the family members move from Israel to the Philippines, they find themselves in a place that is seemingly unfamiliar, despite being their home country. The struggles of being ‘foreigners’ and finding a place to belong are highlighted throughout the movie.

The strength of the film lies in its ability to juxtapose the lives of migrants in a country that is not their own, as they try to balance a sense of normal life amidst the political struggles that come with being an outsider. The film effectively uses the everyday struggles of a typical family to highlight the greater struggles of migrant families. The film takes into account the social and economic conditions that lead to immigration, the difficulties faced by migrant workers abroad, and the price they pay in pursuit of a better life.

The performances are top-notch. Irma Adlawan, who played the character of Janet, the mother of Joshua and Yael, is convincing in her role as the backbone of the family, sacrificing her own career goals to become a domestic helper and provide for her family. Her performance captures the emotional and psychological burden that comes with the struggles that the family has to undergo. Ping Medina, who played Moises, captures the role of an older brother who assumes the role of a father figure to his charges. He is torn between his loyalty to the family he works for and the desire to take responsibility for the children he cares for, as he embarks on bringing them back to their homeland.

Mercedes Cabral, who played the character of Janet’s cousin, also captivates in her role as the family’s kin who tries to help them navigate their situation. Her character serves as a bridge between the Filipino community in the Philippines and the family, delivering the difficult news that they have no proof of their Filipino identity.

Overall, Transit is a heartbreaking and poignant story about the struggles of migrant families. The film is visually stunning and the narrative is woven together in a very artful way. The film tackles the complexities of migration and the struggles that come with it. With a gripping storyline, heartfelt performances, and a delicate soundtrack, Transit is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is a film that reflects the importance of human connections and the need for a sense of belonging, not just to a country, but also to a family.