Ghosts of Kalantiaw

by Chuck Escasa

Documentary | 60 min  | 2023 | Philippines

Language: English, Filipino
Subtitles: English

SCREENING SCHEDULE

ABOUT THE FILM

SYNOPSIS

Delving into figures like the pseudohistorical Kalantiaw and President Bongbong Marcos, this documentary is a deep exploration of the post-truth era. This keenly relevant documentary invokes the spectre of the pseudohistorical Datu Kalantiaw, who was once credited with creating the first legal code in the Philippines, known as the Code of Kalantiaw. Despite the debunking of this historical claim, the code’s absurd laws and the figure of Datu continue to hold a revered status among the island’s inhabitants. The film explores the complex interplay between truth and the post-truth era. Taking viewers on a journey from the realm of fabricated history to the present time, Chuck Escasa emphasizes the perils of neglecting the past. Ghosts of Kalantiaw is a warning against the manipulation of historical narratives for contemporary gain.

FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Chuck ESCASA is a filmmaker from Manila. His past works include the short film The Last Typewriter (1997), the feature documentary Jingle Lang Ang Pahina (2012) and Skylab (2021), which won the NETPAC Jury Prize at QCinema International Film Festival.

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