OFW tries hand at acting via Spanish film ‘Solo Kim’

MANILA, Philippines — An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Spain is expanding her horizons by starring in the short film “Solo Kim” or “Just Kim” in English.

Her screen name is Kim Cabral Luis (and sometimes Kim Cabral), as shown in the movie promotional materials and a filmfest announcement.

“I’m based in Barcelona,” said the Pinay, neophyte actress, whose given name is Shaina Kim, in the vernacular, during a recent virtual chat with The STAR. “(The film) is also inspired by my story, but it’s fiction (genre-wise).”

The people behind “Solo Kim” interviewed her and what transpired from there also used as the basis for the narrative. The film is directed by Javier Prieto de Paula and Diego Herrero.

“It’s about the life of an immigrant, Kim, who goes to Spain alone and is also part of the LGBT (community). (At first) she struggles to find work,” added Kim, the lead star, sharing that the character’s full name is Rose Kim.

Following her train of thought revealed that the character’s challenges emanate from a situation in which workers or would-be ones are being discriminated against because of race and gender. Rose Kim may have experienced one or even both.

Finally, the character has found a single mom employer who will entrust to Rose Kim the responsibility of taking care of the former’s eight-month-old baby.

In the story, Rose Kim, or simply to be known as Kim, “is (having) testosterone (therapy) because she wants to become a man,” shared the Pinay talent. “May palugit lang po at gipit po siya sa pera (she has a deadline to beat and limited financial resources).”

Rose Kim is looking for money to finance the mastectomy procedure for her to embrace the masculine identity. It’s a glimpse into the character’s physical transitioning or gender-affirming process that includes testosterone (hormone) therapy and the removal of breasts. Rose Kim has spent money on the former thus far.

“She couldn’t tell it to her employer, whom she considers her family,” said Kim of her character’s predicament. “(There’s a scene where) she comes from a hospital and her doctor informs her that she has only two days to settle the payment for the procedure. She wants to talk to her employer about her plight. But the employer is so busy, so she can’t find the right time to tell about her concern.”

Rose Kim finds all possible means, such as considering selling the jacket given to her by the employer as a gift.

Given the dilemma that the character is in, Rose Kim has left the medical documents at her workplace and the employer discovers about her situation, said Kim. The employer decides to terminate her employment.

According to Kim, her character’s gender presentation is female from clothes to hairstyle (sporting a bob). Her being a lesbian is unknown to her employer.

Asked how Kim, the young actress got cast for the role, she had this to say: “My employer has director and producer friends. Through my employer, I learned about casting for a film that was looking for an Asian, whose age ranged from 19 to 26. At that time, I was 25. I was encouraged to give it a try.”

“I’m really close to my employers (who are a couple) in real life,” added she, who was hesitant to show up at the audition because Kim had no acting background. But she eventually tried her luck.

“I work as a housekeeper,” shared she. “Prior to that, I was taking care of a child. Since the latter is going to school, I focus on taking care of the house.”

Kim, the Pinay OFW, has already worked in Dubai and the Netherlands. She is part of the Filipino diaspora with the goal to find greener pastures and give families back home a better life. She has no relatives in Barcelona but finds home in the presence of Filipinos living and working there.

“Natural lang ang lahat (everything was natural), hindi ako nag-a-acting, kung ano yung tinuturo po sa akin, ginagawa ko lang po (I felt like I wasn’t acting. I just followed instructions),” said she. “Hindi naman po sila nahirapan sa akin at hindi rin ako masyadong nahirapan (I think they didn’t have a difficult time working with me, and I never had a hard time doing my part) because I was portraying someone who seems similar to me (and her situations are somehow the same) with my every day (activities) in Spain. But I was nervous at first.”

“Solo Kim” will participate in different festivals in Spain and Europe. It was featured at the Cerdanya Film Festival and Premios Pavez Festival Internacional De Cine De Talavera De La Reina. It is also part of the Pilar De La Horadada Cortopilar International Film Festival, from Nov. 6 to 16. Kim’s performance has earned her the Best Actor nomination for the same filmfest.

“My friends and the Filipino communities here are very happy,” said she. “When my family in the Philippines learned about it (being part of the film), they couldn’t believe it, and they’re very happy.”

With her starring role in the film and having graced a premiere night, Kim has been introduced to Filipino organizations and met more kababayan in Barcelona. Her feat has also reached the Philippine Embassy in the area.

So, what’s next for Kim?

“As of now, I will continue to act, and I’ve already spoken to my employers,” said she. “If ever there are opportunities for me to do other films, they will support me. I’m also attending film festivals.”

During the conversation, Kim shared that some producers have expressed interest in making “Solo Kim” into a full-length, and she also has an upcoming gala to grace.