Boy From Nowhere

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Boy From Nowhere

2023

1h 34m

Drama

War

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100%

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6 Reviews

100%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Based on true events, BOY FROM NOWHERE follows the story of Gary, a young and vulnerable Filipino boy who loses everything in an attack on his village that kills his father. Desperate to find his mother and her tribe, Gary sets out on a perilous journey while battling hunger and solitude. Along the way, he gets caught up in the dangerous world of gangs and is eventually brainwashed into becoming a child soldier for a local rebel faction. Vulnerable and malleable, Gary fights for survival until further loss leads him to find a more meaningful purpose for his life. The directorial debut from SJ Finlay, BOY FROM NOWHERE is shot guerrilla style in the dangerous parts of the southern Philippines. Featuring a cast of non-actors, Finlay perfectly captures the harsh realities of war, the brutality of human behavior, and the risks someone may take to find their place in the world.

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Joshua Polanski

There Were No Gods Left

It’s much easier, and expedient, to make the rebels imperceptibly personified monsters but that’s not what Finlay’s film does and that alone makes this a film worth seeing.

Jul 5, 2024

Full Review

Paul Emmanuel Enicola

The Asian Cut

[Director SJ Finlay's] choice of handheld camerawork gives the film a gritty sense of verisimilitude that, when coupled with the film’s fragmented narrative, makes it feel almost like a documentary.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 4, 2024

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Lael Loewenstein

FilmWeek (LAist)

A very sweet, lovely film.

Mar 2, 2023

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Boy From Nowhere is a raw, gritty, poetic film about the rape and pillaging of cultural identity and history.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 18, 2023

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Boy From Nowhere is, quite simply, a cinematic wonder.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

It brings awareness to the struggles of the rural citizens of the Philippines and how they are caught in the middle of a bloody war between rebels and the military.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 13, 2023

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Taylor J

This movie is amazing! Written, filmed, and directed all by Sam. So many strong themes and important messages.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/23

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S S

Fascinating look at life on Mindanao. Beautifully shot and Gary (both the character's name as well as the actor's actual name) is an endearing role that carries the film with excellent supporting actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

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S.J. Finlay

Director

Gary Jumawan

Actor

Nack Nack Abugyan

Actor

Balugto Necosia

Actor

Waway Saway

Actor

S.J. Finlay

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Boy From Nowhere: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Based on true events, BOY FROM NOWHERE follows the story of Gary, a young and vulnerable Filipino boy who loses everything in an attack on his village that kills his father. Desperate to find his mother and her tribe, Gary sets out on a perilous journey while battling hunger and solitude. Along the way, he gets caught up in the dangerous world of gangs and is eventually brainwashed into becoming a child soldier for a local rebel faction. Vulnerable and malleable, Gary fights for survival until further loss leads him to find a more meaningful purpose for his life. The directorial debut from SJ Finlay, BOY FROM NOWHERE is shot guerrilla style in the dangerous parts of the southern Philippines. Featuring a cast of non-actors, Finlay perfectly captures the harsh realities of war, the brutality of human behavior, and the risks someone may take to find their place in the world.

Director: S.J. Finlay
Producer: S.J. Finlay, Joshua Huculiak, Andrew Judah
Screenwriter: S.J. Finlay
Distributor: Buffalo 8
Production Co: Buffalo 8
Genre: Drama, War
Original Language: Filipino
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2023
Runtime: 1h 34m

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