Debut Director James J. Robinson Brings Faith, Doubt and Decolonization to the Big Screen in 'First Light'
Filipino-Australian director James J. Robinson's upcoming drama "First Light" is set to premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it will explore the intricate relationship between faith, colonialism and institutional corruption through the story of an elderly nun confronting moral questions in the Philippines.
Starring Ruby Ruiz as Sister Yolanda, a nurse and nun whose quiet life of service is disrupted when a young construction worker dies under suspicious circumstances, the film delves into the complexities of Philippine society. The incident forces her to question the church and community she has served for decades, leading to a journey that mirrors the country's own history.
Robinson drew inspiration from his personal experiences as a queer person raised Catholic. "I was very anti-Catholic for a period, and quite angry at the church for instilling a lot of these beliefs around sin for me," he admits. However, this anger gradually gave way to understanding and nuance. "There's a difference between the actual beautiful religion at the heart of something and the institution and politicians that can co-opt that beauty."
The film arrives at an unexpected moment, as it tackles issues that resonated with widespread anti-corruption protests in the Philippines in 2025. The production reflects Robinson's commitment to decolonization, including his team's deliberate choices about how Australian funding was used in the Philippines.
"First Light" is a deeply personal and deeply relevant film, one that Robinson hopes will inspire audiences to understand the complexities of colonialism and its ongoing impact on contemporary society. Shot on location in the Ilocos and Calabarzon regions of the Philippines, the film's visual language is rooted in indigenous Filipino knowledge systems and ancestral territories.
As the film nears its release, a clip from "First Light" has been unveiled, offering a glimpse into the powerful and poignant world that Robinson has created. With an all-star cast and a production team committed to social responsibility, "First Light" promises to be a landmark drama that will leave audiences moved, informed and inspired.
The director's vision for the film is multifaceted, one that explores themes of faith, doubt and decolonization through Sister Yolanda's journey. As Robinson notes, "I track her journey from the farmland when she's young into the institutions, and then wherever she ends up at the end is very much the story of the Philippines."
With its thought-provoking narrative, stunning visuals and outstanding performances, "First Light" is poised to become a landmark film that will resonate with audiences worldwide. As Robinson puts it, "There's a way you could do this film which would have been very essayistic... I want to make films because through the tangible stories and experiences, you can come to understand grand topics."
Watch the clip from "First Light" here:
Filipino-Australian director James J. Robinson's upcoming drama "First Light" is set to premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it will explore the intricate relationship between faith, colonialism and institutional corruption through the story of an elderly nun confronting moral questions in the Philippines.
Starring Ruby Ruiz as Sister Yolanda, a nurse and nun whose quiet life of service is disrupted when a young construction worker dies under suspicious circumstances, the film delves into the complexities of Philippine society. The incident forces her to question the church and community she has served for decades, leading to a journey that mirrors the country's own history.
Robinson drew inspiration from his personal experiences as a queer person raised Catholic. "I was very anti-Catholic for a period, and quite angry at the church for instilling a lot of these beliefs around sin for me," he admits. However, this anger gradually gave way to understanding and nuance. "There's a difference between the actual beautiful religion at the heart of something and the institution and politicians that can co-opt that beauty."
The film arrives at an unexpected moment, as it tackles issues that resonated with widespread anti-corruption protests in the Philippines in 2025. The production reflects Robinson's commitment to decolonization, including his team's deliberate choices about how Australian funding was used in the Philippines.
"First Light" is a deeply personal and deeply relevant film, one that Robinson hopes will inspire audiences to understand the complexities of colonialism and its ongoing impact on contemporary society. Shot on location in the Ilocos and Calabarzon regions of the Philippines, the film's visual language is rooted in indigenous Filipino knowledge systems and ancestral territories.
As the film nears its release, a clip from "First Light" has been unveiled, offering a glimpse into the powerful and poignant world that Robinson has created. With an all-star cast and a production team committed to social responsibility, "First Light" promises to be a landmark drama that will leave audiences moved, informed and inspired.
The director's vision for the film is multifaceted, one that explores themes of faith, doubt and decolonization through Sister Yolanda's journey. As Robinson notes, "I track her journey from the farmland when she's young into the institutions, and then wherever she ends up at the end is very much the story of the Philippines."
With its thought-provoking narrative, stunning visuals and outstanding performances, "First Light" is poised to become a landmark film that will resonate with audiences worldwide. As Robinson puts it, "There's a way you could do this film which would have been very essayistic... I want to make films because through the tangible stories and experiences, you can come to understand grand topics."
Watch the clip from "First Light" here:
... I think the whole 'decolonization' vibe is a bit overplayed lately. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's great that James J. Robinson is highlighting these issues and bringing them to the forefront. But sometimes, I feel like we're getting lost in the process of trying to dismantle colonialism, rather than actually learning from our history and growing as individuals.
... but let's not forget that faith and doubt are complex emotions that can't be reduced to just one narrative. Sister Yolanda's journey might resonate with some people, but it might not speak to everyone who's been through similar experiences.
... and I hope it sparks some meaningful conversations about these issues. But let's keep an open mind and not be afraid to challenge each other's perspectives 
. i'm also loving the fact that james j robinson is using his personal experiences to tell this story and add nuance to the film, it's not just about being anti-religion or anti-church, but about understanding where faith comes from 
. and that he's committed to decolonization and using Aussie funding responsibly is a big deal 
️. can't wait to see the full film 
james j. robinson is a genius and his personal story is so inspiring 
i love how he's tackling those hard issues like colonialism and institutional corruption with faith, doubt, and nuance - it's gonna be such a powerful watch 
the clip that was just released looks stunning! can't wait to see more of "First Light" on the big screen 
. I hope audiences get to experience it for themselves because it sounds like a really game-changing movie.
i'm excited to see how the film tackles faith, doubt, and all those complex themes. ruby ruiz lookin like she's gonna nail that role 
so i think james j robinson is really onto something with 'first light' - it's like he's not just making a film about a nun's journey in the philippines, but also about the country's history and its complex relationship with colonialism. and how the church and institutions can be corrupt, but still have a beautiful heart to them... 