Tu Pug Imatuy (lit. 'The Right to Kill'; Japanese: 殺人の権利) is a 2017 Filipino drama film directed by Arnel Barbarona, produced by Red Motion Media and distributed by Solar Entertainment. The film stars Jong Monzon and Malona Sulatan in lead roles and had its world premiere at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival on 26 October 2017.[1] Inspired by actual events, the drama tackles the struggle of indigenous Manobos against environment plunder and the militarization of their communities.
| Tu Pug Imatuy | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Arnel Barbarona |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Arbi Barbarona |
| Music by | Arnel Barbarona |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Solar Enterntainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Manobo |
Synopsis
editSet in a community in the hinterlands in Mindanao, the film follows an indigenous couple whose displaced lives are compromised with their relation to the military.
Obunay and Dawin are a young indigenous Manobo couple in Mindanao who raise their three children through hunting and farming. When they lost their young infant child to illness, this leads to events that put their lives and their community in danger. After burying their child, Dawin learns from the village chieftain that soldiers are forcing him to accept the mining project that is destroying other communities. Dawin later encounters a squad of soldiers who pry him away from his children. Obunay is also captured later.
The couple are forced to act as guides in the soldiers' pursuit of armed rebels. They reach a Lumad school where the soldiers hostage the teachers and the community members, suspecting they are communist sympathizers. Obunay springs a plot to help the teacher and community escape. But they were caught again by the soldiers, leading to the tragic killing of Dawin.
Courageously, Obunay tries to escape as soldiers were caught in a gunfire with the actual rebels. As one military squad kept chasing her, the widow leads them to the hole meant for wild boars. Obunay's act of killing is one of seeking justice.[2]
Cast
edit- Jong Monzon as Dawin
- Malona Sulatan as Obunay
- Luis Georlin Banaag III as Lieutenant Olivar
- Jamee Rivera as Sergeant Villamor
- Jillian Khayle Barbarona as Ilyan
- Henyo Ehem as Langit
- Mentroso Malibatu
- Nona Ruth Sarmiento
- Datu Mintroso Malibato
Production
editAccording to the filmmaker, creating the movie was not easy due to budget constraints. Notably, the main characters were played by amateurs who had their first time acting in a full-length feature. The movie was inspired by Barbarona's experience making documentary of the Manobo evacuees from Talaingod in 2014.[3]
Barbarona said "I think the issues are somewhat universal in terms of land rights and the destruction of the Earth and our natural world. There’s an influx of mining in country without really thinking what will happen tomorrow, what will happen to the indigenous people who are living on this land. Capitalism, I think, is the problem. This was one of the messages I wanted to convey. I want there to be peace talks in the Philippines."[4]
The film's credits indicate that its story line is based on true events that unfolded in the hinterlands of Mindanao. It shows a scene of an elderly Manobo woman named Ubunay Botod Manlaon from Sitio Bagang. She recounts her humiliating treatment by the military as she was forced to act as their guide.
Release
editTu Pug Imatuy was first shown at Cinematheque Davao on March 7 and 8, 2017. Its theatrical release followed after.
It premiered in the 2017 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival where it won six major awards. In 2018, it was nominated for the Star Awards for Movies and Television by the Philippine Movie Press Club. It also earned a special Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Film at the 2018 FAMAS Award.
The film was screened in the Special Features section at the 2018 Pista ng Pelikula Pilipino organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Reception
editFilm reviews noted the movie's "raw beauty"[5] and "painfully lyrical images" amid the beautiful visuals of forests and waterfalls that contrast sharply to the horrors of the characters that encounter torture and fear.[6]
Film critic Skilty Labastilla wrote “The film makes up for in honesty in storytelling and in imbuing its characters with quiet dignity in the face of harrowing abuse.”[7]
In 2021, Tu Pug Imatuy was included in the Gawad Dekada Para sa Natatanging Pelikula (2010-2019) (Best Film of the Decade) by the Gawad Urian.[8]
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia-Pacific Film Festival | September 1, 2018 | Best Director | Arnel Barbarona | Nominated | [9] |
| Best New Actor/Actress | Malona Sulatan | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Arnel Barbarona | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Tu Pug Imatuy | Nominated | |||
| FACINE Filipino International Cine Festival | October 18, 2018 | Audience Choice Award for Full-Length Film | Tu Pug Imatuy | Won | [10] |
| FAMAS Awards | June 10, 2018 | Outstanding Achievement in Directing | Arnel Barbarona | Won | [11] |
| Best Musical Score | Arnel Barbarona | Nominated | |||
| Best Picture | Tu Pug Imatuy | Nominated | |||
| Best Picture (Grand Jury Prize) | Tu Pug Imatuy | Won | |||
| Gawad Urian Awards | June 14, 2020 | Best Film | Tu Pug Imatuy | Nominated | [12] [13] |
| Best Director | Arnel Barbarona | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Malona Sulatan | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Arnel Mardoquio | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Bryan Jimenez, and Arbi Barbarona | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Design | Bagwani Ampalayo | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Arnel Barbarona | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Arnel Barbarona | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Jeff Sabayle | Nominated | |||
| PMPC Star Awards for Movies | February 18, 2018 | New Movie Actress of the Year | Malona Sulatan | Nominated | [14] |
| Sinag Maynila Film Festival | March 9–14, 2017 | Best Picture | Tu Pug Imatuy | Won | [15] [16] |
| Best Actress | Malona Sulatan | Won | |||
| Best Director | Arnel Barbarona | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Arnel Mardoquio | Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | Bryan Jimenez, and Arbi Barbarona | Won | |||
| Best Musical Score | Arnel Barbarona | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Asian Feature - Tu Pug Imatuy - World Premiere". Tokyo International Film Festival.
- ^ Gaspar, Karl (July 30, 2017). "FILM REVIEW: Tu Pug Imatuy (The Right to Kill)". MindaNews. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Buynay, Jamrell Vincette (June 20, 2018). "Multi-awarded film features Lumad struggles". Atenews. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Pountain, David (November 15, 2017). "Interview: Arnel Barbarona Talks The Right to Kill". FilmDoo. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Jonas, Jonas (March 14, 2017). "Velez: Of confetti, bombs and a film about Lumads amidst war".
- ^ Cruz, Oggs (January 2, 2018). "The 12 best Filipino films of 2017". Rappler. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Buynay, Jamrell Vincette (June 20, 2018). "Multi-awarded film features Lumad struggles". Atenews. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "44th Gawad Urian: Complete list of winners".
- ^ "ORGANIZE COMMITTEE". apff.info. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ Galila, Wilfred (October 9, 2018). "Longest-running Filipino film fest in U.S. marks 25th year". Philippines Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, FAMAS awards 2018". Rappler. June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
- ^ "Manunuri releases nominations for Gawad Urian 2018". BusinessMirror. May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
- ^ "'Respeto' tops nominations for 41st Gawad Urian". ABS-CBN News. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
- ^ Abanilla, Clarizel (February 8, 2018). "Full list of nominees for 34th Star Awards for Movies". Philippines Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Sinag Maynila 2017". Rappler. March 12, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
- ^ "Mindanaoan film wins Sinag Maynila 2017". CNN Philippines. March 13, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2018.