Gay Filipino Couple’s Homecoming Documentary ‘We Had a Plan’ Boarded by Cat&Docs Ahead of IDFA Premiere, Trailer Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)
The documentary *We Had a Plan*, about a gay Filipino couple returning home after years working undocumented in the Netherlands, has been acquired for international sales by Paris-based Cat&Docs. It will have its world premiere in IDFA’s Luminous strand and is in the running for the festival’s Best Dutch Film Award.
Paul and Daniel spent a decade cleaning in the Netherlands before returning to the Philippines with hopes for a better life, where relatives see them as wealthy. As their savings dwindle and social restrictions on their life as a gay couple weigh on them, their relationship comes under strain. The filmmakers describe the film as an intimate love story that also highlights the sacrifices of migrant workers and the inequalities shaping their choices.
In short
- Cat&Docs has acquired international sales for *We Had a Plan*.
- The documentary follows a gay Filipino couple returning from the Netherlands.
- It premieres at IDFA and is in contention for Best Dutch Film.
Explained simply
Many Filipinos work abroad and send money home to support themselves and their families. Some migrants work without legal papers, which can leave them with limited security and make returning home a difficult decision.
Gay couples may also face family and social expectations that shape how openly they can live together. For people who return after years abroad, hopes for a fresh start can meet pressure to provide for relatives and fewer financial choices.