Program Note
Ada is a shy gay hairdresser living in a small town in the Philippines. Though he endured countless wounds growing up because of his identity, he has made peace with a quiet, modest life. Then one day, after swallowing a mysterious stone that fell from outer space, he discovers that crying "Zaturnnah!" transforms him into a female superhero. Now battling zombies, alien invaders, and all manner of threats to protect the people around him, Ada must also confront the fears, prejudices, and questions of identity that have long lived within him. The protagonist "Zsazsa Zaturnnah" is one of the Philippines' most beloved icons of popular culture, having grown from a comic into a musical, a live-action film, and now an animated feature. Celebrated as the Philippines' first queer superhero story, the character holds a special place in the national imagination — and the film itself carries additional significance as a landmark work of animation born in a country where the medium has long struggled to take root. Beneath the exuberant superhero action and dazzling fantasy lies a coming-of-age story about learning to accept one's identity and embrace oneself with love. As charming as its characters, the film radiates warmth, encouragement, and emotional resonance that lingers long after the credits roll. (Martin LEE)