Event

BANYAN

BANYAN
Written by Jeannie Barroga
Director: Norman Gee
Producer: Stacey Loew

Banyan is a modern-day, multicultural tale inspired by The Wizard of Oz that incorporates Filipino fantasy, folklore, and humor. The classic story The Wizard of Oz blends traditional magic with elements of American reality: a Kansas cyclone, a scarecrow, and a man made of tin. Instead of witches, Banyan utilizes the Filipino obsession with the much-feared Aswang, or soul-sucking spirit. Modern-day American reality comes in the form of real and perceived threat of terrorism, kidnapping, and corporate mismanagement that came to the forefront post-September 11.

Oz is located inside the trunk of the tropical Banyan tree, a traditional symbol for fecundity and spiritual power. We begin this fantastic, allegorical journey in the corporate shredding room of an American company drowning in its own corruption. Ona, a dispensable cog in the machine, is beginning to wake up instead of continuing to work like the automatons around her. During her "dream vacation" to the Philippines, she "travels" with a cast of curious characters who both aid and antagonize her on this humorous, uniquely Filipino journey.