Gay Couple's Return: From Undocumented Cleaners to Philippines

The documentary film "We Had a Plan" follows Paul and Daniel, a gay Filipino couple, after they return to the Philippines. They had spent ten years working as undocumented cleaners in the Netherlands. Upon their return, relatives perceived them as wealthy.

The couple arrived with significant aspirations for their future. However, their savings from abroad began to diminish, and societal acceptance for their relationship in the Philippines presented challenges. These pressures have placed a strain on their relationship.

Director Suzanne Raes described the film as a bittersweet love story, examining how global inequalities in wealth, social security, and LGBTQ+ acceptance impact migrant workers. Co-director Venice De Castro Atienza, a Filipino filmmaker, brings an intimate perspective to the narrative, resonating with the shared experience of choosing between leaving home for financial stability and staying for personal connection.

International sales for "We Had a Plan" have been secured by Cat&Docs. The film is set to premiere at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in its Luminous strand from November 12-22, and is also competing for the Best Dutch Film Award. Earlier films by Raes include "Close to Vermeer" and "Where Dragons Live." De Castro Atienza's "Last Days at Sea" premiered at Berlinale.