Private Project

Watchful

Drawn to a girl he only sees from afar, a man acts learning the cafe is closing for good, a move that is far more dangerous than desire, his delusion.

  • Mich Dela Cruz
    Director
    Barya (Short Film), 2014 - Director
  • Mich Dela Cruz
    Writer
  • Glenn Mariano
    Key Cast
    "Voiceover"
  • Mich Dela Cruz
    Key Cast
    "Girl"
    Do Plagues Happen Like Songs In A Revolution, 2024 - Actor
  • John Kevin Culaba
    Key Cast
    "Barista"
  • David Olson
    Director of Photography
    The Dust In Your Place, 2021 - Director
  • Mich Dela Cruz
    Editors
  • David Olson
    Editors
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Matyag
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 29, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 PHP
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    Other
  • Shooting Format:
    Black Magic
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions Volume 5
    Iver
    United Kingdom
    May 22, 2025
    UK Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Egyptian American Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    October 26, 2025
    North America Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Mich Dela Cruz

Mich Dela Cruz is a Manila-based Broadcast Producer with 10 years of experience in advertising, having worked with local and global brands such as UNICEF, McDonald's, Spotify, Singapore Tourism Board, and Japan Tobacco International.

Alongside advertising, she pursues filmmaking through various roles including Assistant Director, Production Manager, Writer, and Actor. Her film journey began in college and led to her directorial debut, Barya (2014), a zero-budget passion project. She recently returned to filmmaking with Matyag, officially selected for the 2025 Lift-Off Global Network's First-Time Filmmakers and the 2025 Egyptian American Film Festival.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I was in a restaurant eating soup when a fly dove straight to it burnt itself, struggled, and eventually died. I witnessed all these layers of suffering.

There, I thought what a peculiar way to go, to chase something you want impulsively which ultimately led to your immediate end. It's the equivalent of the tragedy between a moth and a flame.

That very idea became a catalyst to the core of the film, but its depth is concealed within the mundane nature of a fly, and further hidden within the illusion of a stalker lurking over his female interest.

This contrasting feel brings distaste yet relatability that us humans oddly can take away from insects like flies.