Untitled (or the Death of a Filipino Praetorian Guard)

Presented in a reversed cinematic roadshow format, this experimental short film focuses on a recently discovered parchment in Nicopolis, modern day Albania from an unnamed fictitious Roman Praetorian Guard (who immigrated from the Philippines in the Second Century) reflecting on the life that he had lived on his death bed as dictated to a scribe; juxtaposed with the images of our contemporary world.

  • Nikko Martinez
    Written and Photographed by
  • Nikko Martinez
    Producer
  • Paolo Tipanero
    Executive Producer
  • Elijah Manglicmot
    Montage
  • Elijah Manglicmot
    Sound Design
  • Kleizmer Ricafort
    Technical and Visual Consultants
  • Randylle Deligero
    Technical and Visual Consultants
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Walang Pamagat (o ang Kamatayan ng isang Guwardiya Praetoryano Filipino)
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 22, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 19th Mindanao Film Festival
    Davao City
    Philippines
    December 6, 2021
    World Premiere
    Main Competition
Director Biography

An emerging independent filmmaker and producer born, raised, and currently based in Davao City, Philippines. He has a knack for everything fried and Philippine mango juice drinks.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I've always been an avid fan of cinema and world history. Film and good literature for me was far more addicting than being intoxicated with party drugs. The time eventually came when I had to create something cinematic with both interests.

It's an ode to three cities (or simply what it feels like to live in a concrete jungle): Davao City (where I was born and currently living), Quezon City (where I spent my formative years and my spiritual home), and Nicopolis (An ancient Roman city now in ruins [which bears resemblance to my name] now in modern day Albania, Southern Europe) in an experimental form of a cinematic roadshow (in reverse order).

This film is a culmination of what I know so far as an emerging independent filmmaker. For I know very well that aside from being a penniless voice from a diverse haven in the Far East, I shall and forever will be a student of cinema and world history.