Shelter: Farewell to Eden (2019)

Caught in the throes of a sexual transition, Pepsi, a former member of the militant group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, embarks on a heart-stirring journey to find her identity and the stability she yearns for. Born amidst the rugged wilderness of the southern Philippines, she finds herself fleeing her homeland due to the unbearable weight of gender discrimination. Her flight takes her to Gaddafi's Libya, where she spends a decade nursing wounds of a war-torn nation. When discrimination forces her to join the river of refugees, Pepsi's journey takes her to the heart of Bologna, Italy. There, she grapples with rigid European institutions, seeking asylum. Victory comes in small forms as she finally secures recognition for her evolving identity. Yet, her odyssey doesn't cease there. Determined and resilient, she braves the treacherous "pass of death" in Ventimiglia, bolstered by her experiences in her homeland's wild mountains. Her path leads her to the bustling metropolis of Paris, where she assumes a second identity and finds solace in offering underground massages, navigating the harsh, labyrinthine architectures of the city. Her story, narrated in her own poignant voice, weaves together the stark realities of her post-colonial existence with a deeply personal emotional drama. As she traverses the European geography, her journey mirrors the ancient myth of Europe - a tale of a young woman whisked away by Jupiter, bearing the name of a continent born from turmoil. Pepsi's tale is more than a quest for identity – it's a testament to survival, perseverance, and the power of self-transformation.

Shelter: Farewell to Eden is a documentary movie featuring Pepsi and directed by Enrico Masi.

Shelter: Farewell to Eden is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on GuideDoc and True Story.