Birdshot

Fabulous movie, even more so when my Filipina wife shows me some related history around the storyline.

Birdshot is a story of small-town politics, policing and a girl coming of age.

Most people wouldn't know that the film was set around late 80s to early 90s because of the evident lack of technology. However, one can also not notice it because of the countryside (provincial) setting. The film undecidedly wants to identify as a pseudo political and social commentary flick to a youth's struggle. Despite that every scene fills a part of a whole and eventually ends predictably.

It was long ago that I started watching this and got halfway through. Now viewing it again from the start, I do see it merits and how I should watch more Filipino films. It could have ended with a more subtle and stronger final scene but predictably found itself just uncovering most who have guessed early in the film.

Third time seeing Birdshot and I find deeper appreciation for this stellar piece of cinema after each viewing. Written & directed by up and coming (& seriously well versed) Mikhail Red, Birdshot boasts of filmmaking craft that exemplifies Philippine cinema & storytelling.

The main draw of this 2016 sleeper are the intertwined storylines of Maya, whose coming of age comes abrupt after shooting down an endangered Haribon; and Domingo, a bright-eyed policeman, hell bent on uncovering a missing persons case against his superiors' wishes. With this premise, Red takes a no holds barred approach, showcasing relevant social commentaries, corrupted justice procedures, and morality's place within these. The result is then nothing short of gripping, as real world controversies are tackled, & its impact on Red's survivalist characters, comes grounded & bleak.

Amazingly, Birdshot's engrossing plot is further elevated by the film's look and feel. For instance, Teresa Borroza's soundscapes account's for the film's eerie atmosphere & intensifies its quiet yet tension filled moments. On the other hand, with Red at the helm & the cinematography of Mycko David, the crisp & superb visual quality of Birdshot rivals that of Western films. There is as well focus on nature's beauty that offers respite from the dreariness of it all. Also, Red's screenplay is on point, with its slow & brooding tone that captures the rural setting & the film's looming themes, to perfection.

As for the acting piece, the usual inconvenience in Filipino movies, where supporting characters are far too cinematic, are once more apparent. Happily, the revelations that were Mary Joy Apostol & Arnold Reyes more than picks up the slack, conveying the drastic regression of their characters to a state of desperation. John Arcilla also puts forth another notable performance, as the seasoned vet who takes Domingo under his wing.

Overall, Birdshot marks a prominent entry among the greats of 21st century Philippine cinema. From the opening sequence to that jaw dropping ending, the thrills and suspense rarely ceases, testament to Mikhail Red's masterful direction & writing. I for one am intrigued, to see what else he has up his sleeve.

The film about the life of a young woman from rural area of the Philippines. She lives with her father who wants to prepare her for adulthood and teach her to be self sufficient. The world turns out to be far more complicated and dangerous than she can imagine at her age. Her actions will eventually draw the attention of local authorities. She and her father appear as victims of a police force whose priorities are at odds with the interests of the community. Rather than spelling out every detail, a subtle symbolism carried the events along as we are allowed, for the most part, to draw our own conclusions.

This film, was difficult to watch after recently seeing "Despair". Both portrayed the insane brutality, of which we humans are capable. While "Despair" was obviously a contrived work of fiction, "Birdshot" showed a very real situation in the world, where groups feel threatened enough by those in power above them, to abandon their ethical or "moral" principles to survive. It makes me ask,"Who started this chain of submission and why did no one try to stop it, before it got out of control ?". I think of Soviet Russia and how "Party" members murdered so many of their own citizens under Stalin's orders. How far down the hierarchy did this have to go , until it was too late to reverse it ? Are we so needy for social standing and recognition, that we will go along with hideous acts to satisfy this ? Do we value our brief and inconsequential lives so much, that we will not risk them to save so many others, from "immorality" ?. This film, within a very small milieu brings up these difficult questions very powerfully.