Documentary | 60 min | 2023 | Philippines
Language: English, Filipino
Subtitles: English
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.
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.
Inspired by true events, the film chronicles the story of Sisoy Salas, a corrupt journalist seeking justice for his colleagues, and convict Roman Rubio, a hired gun who is regularly brought out of prison to perform assassinations.
Revolves around ”jueteng”, the game of numbers dating back to the Philippines” Spanish colonial period (1521-1898).
After being raped at the hands of her grandfather, young Floring agrees to let a film company turn her story into a tasteful movie.
Jose, a student, leaves his mother a letter to inform her that he’s leaving home to learn why people decide to join the underground movement.
