Markova: Comfort Gay

The narrative spans the 1930s, when Walter Dempster Jr. discovers her identity, through the Japanese occupation of the 1940s and the postwar years. It continues into the present day as Markova gives testimony about her life. The story moves between youthful self-discovery, wartime brutality, and reflective aging.

The story unfolds in Manila, centering on the Home for the Golden Gays where Markova and her friends perform and rehearse. Key locations like the Manila Hotel and Fort Santiago anchor the wartime and postwar events that shape their lives, including abuse, escape, and resilience.

🎭 Identity

The film follows Markova's lifelong exploration of gender identity, from youthful self-discovery to public performance. Her drag persona becomes a source of both solace and persecution, revealing how identity is shaped by family, culture, and violence. Across decades, she asserts her voice through art and storytelling.

🕯️ Trauma & memory

The experiences of wartime exploitation and rape leave deep psychological scars on Markova and her friends. The narrative investigates how trauma is carried, remembered, and sometimes denied, influencing later choices and relationships. Recounting these memories in the interview becomes a form of healing and confrontation.

🎤 Storytelling & memory

Loren Legarda's interview framework tests the boundaries between truth and memory, as Markova's life story challenges the journalist's expectations. The act of testimony functions as both personal catharsis and social archive. The film frames the past through a present-day gaze, emphasizing the importance of survivor narratives.