Welcome to a crisp oasis for crème de la crème, screened in the Panorama section at Berlinale! The White Lotus meets the hypnotic “dream oratorio” of Thai director Weerasethakul – where no one holds the moral high ground, unless you happen to have a Visa card.

74 hectares of happiness. Hundreds of butlers, assistants and conductors of care, all clad in white linen. This is not life — it is a symphony of well-being, orchestrated within a Manila leisure club. It is a sacred ground of the Filipino elite, shielding them from social horrors, political turbulence, and the inconvenience of historical memory. Here, 17-year-old Isabel, a caddy girl from the countryside, has found her place. Captivated by the grandeur of the club and its president, Dr. Palanca, she is utterly fascinated. Despite each day growing more sweltering than the last, Isabel seeks to soothe her obsession…

Swinging a golf club, this film suggests to “take a bite out of the rich”, and perhaps one afternoon, when fine cotton clothing is unmarred by perspiration, attempt a conversation about the legacy of colonialism. Unless it clashes with a scheduled invigorating massage, of course. Filipino director Manuel returns to the subject of his 2020 short film about the collective schizophrenia of a nation, pursuing the Cinderella story from an unexpected, devilishly sharp angle. Steeped in Taittinger bubbles, this is an anthem to long, composed takes – with both sun-bronzed ghosts and luxury, as well as canapé-sized criticism garnished with caviar.