Circles(2005)

If your life is suddenly at stake, what have you done in the past that can save you?

Circles is a Filipino film that follows Cris, a jeepney bus rider whose routine commute along the Elliptical Road near Quezon Memorial Circle is shattered when he's held at knifepoint during a robbery. As his life flashes before him, Cris reflects on the choices that led him to this moment. The film traces his days as a trader at the memorial circle, where he encounters fruit sellers, student protesters, and male sex workers—lives that intersect at the park's historical landmarks. Shot guerrilla-style on a minimal budget, Circles weaves together Cris's personal story with broader observations about Filipino society and identity. The film blends narrative drama with elements of fable and erotica, creating a layered portrait of survival and human connection in urban Manila.