Impact Days Catalogue
fifdh
By Chona Mangalindan

Untying the Knot

Image du film Untying the Knot - FIFDH 2023
IMPACT DAYS

In the Philippines, the last country in the world outside the Vatican where divorce is illegal, women in troubled marriages pay a steep price. With only limited and difficult legal options, women either stay in abusive homes or turn to more unsavoury solutions. Untying the Knot follows the fight to legalise divorce in the Philippines through the eyes of 3 women. We follow Grace, Faith, and Mercy, who are fighting social and legal obstacles to break free from their abusive marriages. We see their struggles, the toll, and, with limited prospects and resources, how far they are willing to go.

Sections : Impact Days, Impact Days
Country : Philippines
Original languages : Filipino, English
Director
Chona Mangalindan (Philippines)
Producers
Chona Mangalindan (Philippines)
Félicie Roblin (France)
Rosie Garthwaite (United Kingdom)
Amaya Films
Mediadante
Zadig Productions
Completion
January 2026
Impact Statement
Women are overwhelmingly the victim when it comes to violent crimes against intimate partners. One in three Filipino women has experienced spousal abuse. Without any accessible legal way to dissolve one's marriage, most women get trapped in abusive marriages or flee at the risk of being charged with adultery - a crime that can only be charged against wives, with a maximum sentence of 6 years in prison. In shining a light on the long-lasting consequences of the divorce ban, Untying the Knot aims to put pressure on lawmakers in making significant legislative changes to better protect women and children, and allow for absolute divorce in the Philippines. Through partnerships with international NGOs, we hope to create a societal shift in attitudes toward domestic abuse and make it unacceptable.
Untying the Knot aims to support efforts to allow for absolute divorce in the Philippines and encourage the development of local structures and networks that provide mental, physical, and psychological care for victims of domestic abuse.
Impact Goals
  1. To build international awareness on the plight of Filipino women who are trapped in abusive marriages due to the absence of divorce legislation in the Philippines.
  2. To apply concerted worldwide pressure on the Philippine government to implement legislative and policy changes to allow for absolute divorce in the country.
  3. To support calls to decriminalize adultery and support initiatives that give legal aid to women unjustly charged with adultery.
  4. To support the development of local systems, structures, and networks that provide mental, physical, and psychological care for victims of domestic abuse. 5. To help create a societal shift in attitudes towards domestic abuse. No more: “It happened because you’re not a good wife.” Make domestic violence unacceptable.
Impact Strategy
  • Collaborate and share the documentary with opinion leaders, media and academics to open a dialogue on divorce.
  • Partner with key international organisations who advocate for women’s rights.
  • Present the documentary to policymakers and politicians in the Philippines.
  • Work with existing pro-divorce movements and allow them to use the film for community screenings and discussions.
  • Create a website that can collect signatures from divorce law supporters and directly send their messages to Philippine lawmakers.
Contact
Primary contact
Chona Mangalindan (Philippines): chona.films@gmail.com
Participant present at the Impact Days
Chona Mangalindan (Philippines)

organisations
LAW Center Inc.
Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines
UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies

Film funds and agencies
Scottish Documentary Institute
Hot Docs CrossCurrents Int’l
DMZ Docs Korea

organisations
LAW Center Inc.
Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines
UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies

Film funds and agencies
Scottish Documentary Institute
Hot Docs CrossCurrents Int’l
DMZ Docs Korea