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PH drug war documentary ‘Aswang’ eligible for Oscar consideration

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/entertainment/02/01/20210201-aswang-movie.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>A scene from &#x27;Aswang.&#x27; <em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – “Aswang,” a documentary on the government’s war on drugs, has qualified for consideration in the documentary feature category of the 93rd Academy Awards.</p><p>The film became eligible after it won the prestigious White Goose Award at the 12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival in September 2020.</p><p>Based on its official synopsis, “Aswang” follows a group of people whose fates entwine with the growing violence over two years of killings in Manila. </p><p>Among them are Bro. Jun Santiago, a photojournalist and missionary brother who comforts bereaved families and makes a stand against lawlessness, and Jomari, a street kid whose parents are in prison for drug use.</p><p>“I am very grateful to Jomari, Bro. Jun Santiago of the Redemptorist Brothers, everyone who shared their lives and stories with us and everyone else that I worked with on this film,” said director Alyx Arumpac.</p><p>“I am happy that our efforts to shed light on how vast a problem the drug war is in the Philippines is garnering more attention worldwide,” she added.</p><p>Since it premiered at the 2019 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the documentary has already made the rounds in various international film festivals.</p><p>“Aswang” has also earned several recognitions, the most recent of which was the Best Picture award at last year’s FAMAS.</p><p>In July last year, “Aswang” was streamed in the Philippines for a limited time through the film’s official social media pages. It was also screened at the Nation section and at the #HuwagMatakot Halloween Fest of Daang Dokyu Film Festival in October.</p><p>&quot;We are overwhelmed by the support we received during these screenings. We hope this encourages more conversations about the issue and a change of perception among those who support this war on drugs,&quot; said producer Armi Rae Cacanindin. </p><p>Currently, the team behind the documentary is collaborating with civic organizations Dakila and Active Vista so that “Aswang” may reach more audiences in various sectors of the society.</p><div><strong>Related video:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YOChoEsARP8?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>“Aswang,” a documentary on the government’s war on drugs, has qualified for consideration in the documentary feature category of the 93rd Academy Awards.</p>

“Aswang,” a documentary on the government’s war on drugs, has qualified for consideration in the documentary feature category of the 93rd Academy Awards.