The Garden of Earthly Delights

In the stormy slums of an Asian metropolis, 11-year-old Ginto fights for survival, dignity, and freedom. He dismisses his sister’s concerns—better to be a gangster than to scavenge from rubbish bins. As he grapples with his blossoming sexuality, identity and feelings for another boy, his path crosses that of Dutch tourist Michael. A harrowing world premiere that confronts audiences with deeply rooted systemic issues and (post)colonial inequality.

Street urchin Ginto navigates the harsh realities of Manila, resorting to crystal meth and gang life while clashing with his sister Asia, who engages in sex work in pursuit of a better life. Meanwhile, Dutch tourist Michael is torn apart by his dark desires, leading him into the underbelly of the city’s red-light district, where demand meets sinister supply. As their paths converge, Western wealth and postcolonial poverty collide, drawing them into the brutal garden of earthly delights.

In this intense and visually stunning film, director Morgan Knibbe (Those Who Feel the Fire Burning) exposes a system that, even in 2025, remains unchecked. The film highlights how the poisonous ways of capitalism trap countless – mostly young – lives, dictating their fate. This is not an isolated issue but one rooted in a postcolonial mindset—one that suggests everything is for sale if the price is right and allows Western tourists to act with impunity on the other side of the world.