The winner of the Amnesty International Human Rights Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Alyx Ayn Arumpac’s “Aswang” is a rare look into the terror brought upon by contemporary ‘aswangs’ and the scars they left to the people they terrorized.
As you might've guessed, "Aswang" is a metaphor. An 'aswang' is a mythical creature that is popularly known as an evil spirit who takes the form of a dog, a cat, a pig, or even a person. It is known to eat people and dwell at night in dark places. 'Aswangs' are known to harm people for no reason. They are vicious and feared by many. But other people do not.
Alyx Ayn Arumpac belongs to those who are gallant enough to walk the dark cities and tight alleyways to face them. Her documentary film, “Aswang,” entails her encounter with people who saw and experience the horror inflicted by these monsters. Among them is a roughly 6 years-old child named Jomari who, surprisingly, knew a lot about these creatures who lurk at night and crave the blood of alleged drug pushers and users. He, inadvertently, becomes the guide of the film and the face of reality.
“Aswang” flourished as an evocative documentary film as it combines reality and lore to create a haunting story painted red by the blood of the many killings that happened in President Rodrigo Duterte's regime. It's affecting as it gives the viewers a first-seat view of the hideous and doomed war on drugs campaign.
‘Haunting’ might be the best word to describe this socially relevant film, but there is no amount of words that can be conjured to define its essentiality.
Arumpac cleverly placed the perspective of these injustices through the eyes of the people who experienced its indignation to invite reflection and awareness. Honestly, the images that "Aswang" produced are outright chilling and terrifying. The extreme obsession to bring down drug users and pushers impaired society. The great divide between the rich and the poor has never been so clear with “Aswang.” The injustices, the killings, the quiet scenes like children sleeping in cemeteries, all of it are hard to watch and digest.
Indeed, this movie is controversial and powerful. It invites people to open their eyes to this country’s unjustness. Though the movie ended in a somewhat hopeful tone. It’s still a firm reminder that there are monsters that lurks and that we shouldn’t be afraid of them.
4.5/5
