Perfumed Nightmare
(MABABANGONG BANGUNGOT)

Kidlat lives in a small town which can only be entered and exited through one narrow bridge. He drives a jeepney, one of those « war vehicles changed into life vehicles » in his own words. He dreams of emigrating to the United-States and of becoming an astronaut. He fantasizes about an idealized West although the movie also conveys an affectionate portrait of his province’s popular culture. With the help of an American, he drives his jeepney to Europe and especially to Paris, France, where there are still greengrocers and also bridges. So many bridges ! Tahimi displays some naivety in order to lead the audience through his autobiographical journey of decolonization with a harmonious mix of fiction, autobiography, history and ethnography. His various disappointments lead him to reassess his idealized vision of western culture and technology. This political awakening is told with a lot a humor in this original artwork of the 70’s.