A former Seafarer, exposes Debt and Dread horror drama flick
“Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod” (Cold as the Ocean Runs Deep), the latest short film from Filipino director Seth Andrew Blanca, is set to anchor itself in the Short Film Category of the the 21st Cinemalaya with its chilling blend of maritime drama and psychological horror.
The 15-minute, analog-shot film explores the crushing anxiety of debt and desperation aboard a ship, filtered through the unique lens of a director who has lived the seafarer’s life.
The story centers on an ordinary, debt-stricken seaman who faces the ultimate fear: losing his girlfriend because his hard-earned money isn’t enough. In a moment of crisis, he makes a fateful decision to borrow a substantial sum from the ship’s Second Officer. However, this quick fix becomes a slow-burn nightmare. As the officer presses him for repayment, the seaman’s anxiety escalates, driving him to the brink of despair. Soon, his mental distress manifests as a tangible, silent terror—an unbodied, watchful “Thing” that creeps through the ship’s walls and corridors, waiting to claim him.
Blanca brings authentic weight to this tale of isolation and fear. An Igbaras, Iloilo native, Blanca spent three years as a seafarer, giving him unparalleled insight into the claustrophobic, high-stakes environment of life at sea. His background allows him to ground the supernatural elements in real-world professional pressure.
This project follows Blanca’s successful run with films like Kung sa Diin ang Suba Tarabuan (Down the River We Meet), which earned the Best Film award at FACINE 29, and Kung nga-a Conscious ang mga Alien sang ila Skincare, which premiered at QCinema 2023.
The short film, categorized as Drama and Horror, features Ryan Galleca, Lheo Fernando Fonseca, and Anthony Ken Bucasas, with Blanca himself handling multiple roles including Director, Screenplay, Cinematographer, and Original Music Score, underscoring his complete creative vision. Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod promises to be a stark, unsettling look at how far the cold grip of desperation can run. By Maria Elena Catajan