New Moon (2001): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2001, New Moon is an action, drama and war film directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, running about 130 minutes.

What it’s about. Ahmad belongs to the Bangsamoro people. While many of his kind are bent on fighting, thinking that Mindanao is only for the Muslims, Ahmad prefers to live a simple and peaceful life. He works as a doctor in Manila while his wife, Fatima, and his only son, Ibrahim, stay in Mindanao with his mother, Farida. Ahmad is shocked and devastated when Fatima breaks the confounding news. Ibrahim was killed by a stray bullet when vigilantes indiscriminately fire at their village. Ahmad goes back to where he came from Mindanao. Ibrahim’s death did not cause Ahmad to stop striving to live a peaceful life, much to the consternation of his brother, Musa. His brother takes an exactly opposite stand. Musa believes in waging a war against all the Kaafir (unbelievers) who may impede the Moro’s goal of independence. He even trains his young son, Rashid to a Muslim warrior’s life.

Who’s in it. New Moon stars Cesar Montano as Ahmad, Amy Austria as Fatima, Caridad Sanchez as Bae Farida and Jericho Rosales as Lieutenant Ricarte, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, New Moon has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch New Moon page.

If you liked it. Fans of New Moon tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.