Archive - 11th Five Flavours Film Festival

Dark is the Night

Madilim ang Gabi
Philippines 2017, 106’
subtitles: Polish and English
director: Adolfo Alix Jr.
screenplay: Adolfo Alix Jr.
cinematography: Albert Banzon
editing: Adolfo Alix Jr.
music: Mikoy Morales
cast: Gina Alajar, Phillip Salvador, Bembol Roco, Felix Roco
producer: Brian Sellers, Didier Costet, Jun Sevilla
production: Deus Lux Mea Films, Sound Investment Equity, LLC Swift Productions, Oro de Siete Productions Inc.
language: Tagalog
colouration: colour

Film description

Contemporary Manila. In the poorer areas of the city, people are dying every day as a result of the politics of president Duarte, who is using drastic means to fight drug addiction problem. It is a story of a middle-aged couple occasionally selling stimulants to their neighbors to make ends meet. They quit when the danger becomes too great, but the mobsters controlling the whole operation will not forgive them for leaving the business.

Dynamic action, intriguing supporting characters, and a detailed social panorama of contemporary Philippines make for a powerful, topical cinema. Putting unusual protagonists in the spotlight allows the director to show the social costs of political struggle born by regular citizens, who are often stuck in dead end situations. Without justifying their actions, he shows the reality in a nuanced honest manner, leaving the audiences with many open questions.

Jagoda Murczyńska

Adolfo Alix Jr.

Studied mass communication at the University of the City of Manila, worked as a screenwriter for television programs, made short movies. Since his 2006 feature debut, he made over 30 films, including "Death March" shown in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. Laureate of a number of awards, including the critics Gawad Urian award for best director. Considered to be one of the most interesting members of the young generation of filmmakers in the Philippines.

Selected filmography:

2006 Donsol

2007 Tambolista / Drumbeat

2008 Adela

2010 Muli / The Affair

2012 Wolność / Kalayaan / Wildlife

2013 Death March

2016 Whistleblower

2017 Ciemna jest noc / Madilim ang Gabi / Dark is the Night

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