Filipino Film 'Dao' Blurs Lines Between Family and Fiction

Alain Gomis' film 'Dao' presents a unique, sprawling narrative that traverses continents and cultures. The movie unfolds across two distinct events: a lively wedding in rural France and a solemn death commemoration ritual in a small African village.

Gomis masterfully blurs the lines between reality and fiction by incorporating his own family members into the cast, alongside amateur performers and established French actors. This approach creates an immersive collective experience, highlighting the director's interest in the process of filmmaking itself.

The film's core focuses on a mother-daughter pair navigating these dual ceremonies. It explores the complex dynamics of an extended clan united and divided by these significant life events. Themes of migration, assimilation, and familial history are woven throughout the narrative.

Clocking in at over three hours, 'Dao' prioritizes atmosphere and improvisation over a conventional plot. While offering moments of profound authenticity, its extended runtime and unconventional structure may test the patience of some viewers. The film ultimately suggests the act of creation, shared among a diverse ensemble, is as significant as the story itself.