Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo

Joyful, raw, revolutionary: Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo tells the story of queer Filipnxs who, in the 1990s, against a racist, lesbophobic backdrop, came together for the first time in NYC to create a safe and loving community.

This archival documentary traces the history of Kilawin Kolektibo, a pioneering collective of Filipnxs who came together in NYC in the mid-nineties. Having experienced marginalization in Filipino culture because of their queerness and in mainstream gay culture because of their race, language, and gender, the members of the group sought political empowerment and increased visibility.

Above all, they sought to create a space of friendship and safety for those who found themselves situated between cultures and identities. Kilawin Kolektibo allowed them to transform their experience of oppression into one of joy and growth. As time passed, group dynamics changed with diverging priorities, and friendships frayed, including that of the filmmakers Desireena Almoradie and Barbara Malaran. Having been estranged for 15 years, they find their way back to each other through the making of this film.

Culling from a treasure trove of over a quarter century’s worth of historic documentation that includes footage, photographs, interviews and ephemera, the film tells the inspiring story of members as they found each other, fell in love, and became each other’s lifeblood amidst a society that rejected them. From marching, partying, and protesting, to its oftentimes incestuous sexual politics, the film serves as an exhilarating memorial to the rebellion and nostalgia of the nineties.