BUYBUST

Philippines, 2018, 107 minutes, Colour.
Anne Curtis, Brandon Vera, Victor Neri, Levi Ignacio.
Directed by Erik Matti.

This is a tough watch. It echoes the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, his declared war against drugs, dealers and addicts, corrupt authorities leading to many “extra-judicial killings�.

For many, this film is reminiscent of the Indonesian thriller, The Raid and its sequel, a focus on police, police action, the attack on criminals, the raid taking place in a multi-story building. This time the focus is on the police, final revelations of corruption within the police and manipulation of police activity, a strong squad dedicated to its work, and the action confined to a particular settlement outside Manila, allegedly drug-free but oppressed by drug Lords and dealers.

The film introduces authorities in the police, interrogation of dealers, getting information. It also highlights a crack squad and gives a great deal of detailed attention to their training.

The bulk of the film is a mission to the particular area, the seeking out of the chief drug lord, a focus on different individuals in the team but especially to of the leaders, one of whom is played by Anne Curtis (Australian father, Filipina mother, growing up in Yarrawonga, Victoria).

The film is in the vein of police action but, as the film proceeds, it seems to go over the top, set up another top and go over that, continually raising the bar of what is the top, a lot of brutal action, a high body count, a rebellion of the village people against the drug dealers, the revelation of the overall boss and his confrontation with the leader, and then the final revelation of corruption and betrayal.

A commercial success in the Philippines, it also received an American release.

1. The Philippines in the 21st-century? Drug problems, dealers, addicts? The decisions of the President Duterte and his war against drugs? The extra-judicial killings?

2. The title, the drugs and set ups, the role of the police, set-ups and betrayals?

3. Manila, the drug areas surrounding the city, Blue Zones having been cleared? Slum areas and the visuals of the slums and activity there?

4. The introduction, the police interrogation, the dealer, wanting to find the top dealer, Biggie Chan, the torture, the threats? The dealer and his suggesting a way to trap Biggie Chan? The role of Delacruz and the police leader? Later seeing the ironies?

5. The sequences of military training, tough, men and women? The details? Manigan, her past, her squad and everybody lost, her survival, a sense of blame? Her defying the authority, being told off, the appeal to teamwork, her agreeing? Being part of the squad?

6. Time sequence of the film, the main action overnight, the indication of particular times, immersing the audience in the experience?

7. The importance of editing and pace, the busy detail in the background of the sequences, the use of close-ups? The town, the interiors, the alleys? The effectiveness of these sets? The musical score, pace and action?

8. The action sequences, the work of the police, the dealers, the bosses and their brutality, the locals and their being caught in the crossfire? Protests?

9. The drama of the police, the attack, the leader and his effectiveness, Manigan, the other members of the squad, being separated from the other group?

10. The detail of the action, the fights, the mounting deaths, the brutality? The police being trapped?

11. The dealer, with Delacruz, the comments about betrayal, the Judas? The secondary bosses, their stances? The discovery of betrayal? Accusations against Delacruz? His lies, saying that he phoned, no signal? Manigan and her response, suspicions, denunciations?

12. Manigan and the boss, helping each other, the desperation of the fights, attacks, pursuits, the boss and his charm, ultimately dying? Manigan and her confronting the traitor?

13. Her finding Biggie Chan, his manner, talking, subtle than violent, the attack, the truth about the police chief? His death?

14. The people, the rebelling against the dealers, the treatment by the police? The possibilities of some kind of peace and reconciliation? The role of Manigan?

15. The sensibilities for watching this kind of film, in the Philippines in the contemporary situations, for audiences outside the Philippines?