‘Ang Lihim ni Lea,’ animated film that sheds light on child abuse, wins several int’l awards

The animated short film “Ang Lihim ni Lea” has won several awards from international film festivals for its depiction of a young girl who seems to have superpowers but is in fact a victim of child abuse.

“Lalo ngayong pandemic, may mga lumalabas na studies na tumataas pa ’yung kaso ng abuso sa mga bata ngayong nakakulong lang sa bahay,” “Ang Lihim ni Lea” writer Augie Rivera said on Nelson Canlas’ “24 Oras” report Tuesday.

Rivera, a writer for GMA Network, is also a recipient of the 2020 Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas for Children’s Literature.

“Ang Lihim ni Lea” has won awards at several prestigious international film festivals, the latest of which are the Grand Prize Animation – Silk Road Award at the Cannes International Independent Film Festival and Best Short Film Animation at Buenos Aires International Film Festival.

“Naiisip ko lang na ’yung tema at saka napakatapang niya para mapag-usapan, I think ’yun yung nakikita ng ibang festivals,” said film director Rico Gutierrez.

Narrated by Eugene Domingo, “Ang Lihim ni Lea” also features the voices of Candy Pangilinan and Alessandra de Rossi.

The film was adapted from the book of the same title, which aims to empower victims of abuse who are afraid to speak out or fight for themselves.

According to Gutierrez, he and Rivera agreed to turn the book into an animated film so that its message will be accessible to more people.

“[P]ara mas marami pang makaintindi at makapanood kung ano ’yung pwedeng mangyari sa kanila at kung anong puwedeng gawin nila kung mangyari sa kanila ito,” said Gutierrez.

“Marami tayong hindi alam sa tema, ang dami tuloy mali-maling information tayong nakukuha,” said Rivera. “Nangyayari siya sa lahat, mayaman, mahirap … at kailangan tayo mag-raise ng awareness para maprotektahan natin ang mga bata.”

The film and the book also aim to open communication lines between parents and their children. – RC, GMA News