Filmmaker Martin Edralin’s tender debut feature Islands introduces us to Joshua (Rogelio Balagtas): a taciturn, 49-year-old Filipino immigrant who still lives with his elderly parents in Canada. Joshua is a complex case: a (mostly) devout catholic who dreads inevitable loneliness after his parents’ passing … but is too shy to accept a coworker’s invite to lunch. When Joshua’s generous-spirited cousin Marisol (Sheila Lotuaco) arrives from Manila to help care for his senile father—he gets a second chance at coming-of-age. Rather than take the obvious route, Edralin’s film favors authentic emotions, relatable conflicts and wry laughter. Subtle gestures, steady pacing, quiet compassion. Edralin’s background in documentary filmmaking surely contributes to Islands’ heart-wrenching legitimacy.

Islands is also part of a cultural shift towards inclusivity: Edralin’s Tagalong-speaking actors reflect the reality of the Filipino diaspora and Canadian immigrant experience. Before Islands, Edralin had already won acclaim for his shorts Hole and Emma—but even so, he had trouble securing funds for Islands due to the specificity of his cast. Canadian film funds are currently re-evaluating how many immigrant voices have been missing from the national conversation … Edralin’s characters included.

In my interview with Martin, we discuss what the film means to him, the challenges in getting it made, and how it fits into his larger body of work. In the process, Edralin reminds us of the important of love, acceptance and community—onscreen, and on set—as nourishment for the soul.