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Deep Dive: Aswang (2019)

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Aswang
Aswang is a documentary film directed by Alyx Arumpac that covers the first two years of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs in the Philippines. It focuses on a group of photojournalists in Metro Manila, known as the 'nightcrawlers', who document the killings of individuals suspected of drug dealing and use. Among them is Jun Santiago, a lay brother who not only captures these events but also provides support to the families of the victims and participates in protests against the campaign. The film also follows Jomari, a young man living in poverty who is deeply affected by the murder of Kian de los Santos, whom he viewed as an older brother. Jomari's story shows the personal impact of the drug war, as he navigates life alone while his parents are detained for drug use. Through these narratives, Aswang presents a stark portrayal of the human cost of the drug war in the Philippines.

Why Watch

  • •Meet photojournalists documenting drug war killings
  • •Follow Jun Santiago supporting victims' families
  • •See Jomari's personal story of loss and survival

Did You Know

•Aswang is the first documentary to win Best Picture at the 2020 FAMAS Awards.
•The film received 40,000 euros from the IDFA Bertha Fund in 2018.
•Aswang's world premiere took place on November 21, 2019, at IDFA.
•The Philippine debut was disrupted by COVID-19, leading to an online screening on July 11, 2020.

Perfect For

Philippine drug policyPhotojournalismSocial justice issues