First Light
Sister Yolanda (Ruby Ruiz) leads a peaceful, pious life in a mountainous convent in northern Luzon. Lending her services to the local hospital, she acts as a spiritual balm to the sick and dying. Reading a young man his last rites following a tragic construction accident, she begins to suspect foul play. Uncovering a trail of corruption that implicates both the community’s wealthy elite as well as her treasured Church, Sister Yolanda is left in a challenging moral quandary, calling her to act. Winning over audiences at MIFF (Best Australian Director Award) and Rotterdam, and shot in masterful, painterly tableaux that showcase Robinson’s background in photography, First Light announces the arrival of an exciting new directorial talent.
Special Guests
James J. Robinson is a Filipino/Australian artist. With a successful career in photography and filmmaking, he is published regularly by the likes of The New York Times and Vogue, having lensed some of the world’s biggest stars. His short documentary INANG MAYNILA detailed a personal investigation into his mother’s youth under martial law in the Philippines. FIRST LIGHT is James J. Robinson’s debut feature film, for which he was awarded Best Australian Director at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
Multi-award-winning Filipina veteran actress Ruby Ruiz is celebrated for her acclaimed performances in Filipino cinema, with notable films such as ISKA, which earned her international recognition at the Harlem International Film Festival and the Afghan Women’s Film Festival, EKSTRA, MA’ROSA, and THIRD IS MY FIRST. Her international breakthrough heralds an exciting chapter in entertainment. Ruiz’s role as Essie in the limited series EXPATS by Lulu Wang marked a pivotal moment in her career, symbolising the growing recognition of Filipino talent on the global stage. Building on this success, Ruiz leads FIRST LIGHT, the feature directorial debut of James J. Robinson.
Tickets
Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.
We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
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