New Delhi: Carl Joseph Papa wrote and directed the 2023 adult animated science fiction film The Missing, which is also known as Iti Mapukpukaw, in the Philippines. The Missing is the third full-length animated feature film by Carl Joseph Papa, and it uses both conventional and rotoscope animation.
The Missing was awarded Best Film, Best Supporting Actress (de Leon), and the NETPAC at the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in August 2023. This animated picture marks Cinemalaya’s debut. It also had the largest grossing of any Cinemalaya entry that year.
Making history at the 96th Academy Awards, The Missing became the first animated picture from the Philippines to be nominated for the prestigious award in September 2023. The announcement was made by the Film Academy of the Philippines and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Thinking of watching something over the weekend? #ItiMapukpukaw will be up on Netflix starting tomorrow, February 24. 👀 pic.twitter.com/FgeGqekjGH
— Gio Gahol (@giogahol) February 23, 2024
Storyline
A young guy named Eric lives and works in the Philippines as an animator. Aside from Rosalinda, his life is rather ordinary; he has a little apartment, a buddy who seems to be more than just a friend, and a mother who adores him. Surprisingly, Eric has no mouth.
His uncle has been missing for days when Eric goes to fulfil his mother’s request to see how he is doing. His fear sends him reeling into the nightmare he had as a youngster about when an alien kidnapped him. Even though Eric is still in shock, a familiar alien with ties to his past shows up and seeks to take him from Earth. Parts of his body appear to vanish with each encounter with the alien, and he loses ground with each passing encounter.
When and Where to Watch?
In January of 2024, the picture had its world debut at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California. Starting on February 24, 2024, the award-winning animated movie will be accessible on the streaming service platform. Therefore, this film will be available to stream on Netflix today.
Carl Joseph Papa’s ‘ITI MAPUKPUKAW’ is now streaming on Netflix Southeast Asia.
It currently holds a 100% critics and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. pic.twitter.com/Uc7F7YA0W9
— Philippine TV & Film Updates (@phtvandfilmupd) February 24, 2024
JUST IN: ITI MAPUKPUKAW (The Missing) now available to stream on Starting today, February 24#GioGahol #CarloAquino #DollyDeLeon #ItiMapukpukaw #Cinemalaya pic.twitter.com/KiC2OBC3QD
— Jed Chua (@reeladvice) February 24, 2024
Cast and Crew
Carlo Aquino plays the role of Eric, Gio Gahol plays the role of Carlo, and Dolly de Leon plays the role of Rosalinda in the film directed by Carl Joseph Papa.
With the help of government entities like CreatePH Films, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the production was able to acquire financing from the Cinemalaya Foundation. Purin Pictures, a Thai investor, also contributed financially. Project 8 Projects, in conjunction with Terminal Six Post and GMA News and Public Affairs, produced the film.