amok

BAWAL TUMAWID, NAKAMAMATAY!

Thus the ending shot of AMOK, the Cinemalaya 2011 entry directed by Lawrence Fajardo.This film  looks to be the closest to day-to-day urban reality in terms of feel and visuals.

The synopsis as lifted from the Cinemalaya website states "The bustling and sweltering rugged intersection of Pasay Rotonda serves as the main setting for this story of interconnected fate and destiny. As a raging man’s bullets strays into different directions, the fate of several different characters are sealed and determined. As the temperature rises, the tension escalates and the story unravels with unforgiving immediacy and explodes in the end as each one struggles to survive and escape their inevitable end. "

That location is part of my daily life since i pass by that intersection on my way to work to Makati from my house in Las Pinas.Vehicles usually slow down since this part of EDSA  is considered as a  bottle neck for travellers from the south (Las Pinas, Paranaque, Cavite, Batangas) .After watching the film, aside from slowing down, i  am now more observant of the place as i recall the various scenes depicted in the movie.  Every movement, every frame–everything had meaning. And all of them seemed painstakingly done to ensure that no other meaning would be taken from the context, other than what the director intended. Each shot conveyed meaning that was clear

AMOK is a term for a killing spree perpetrated by an individual out of rage or resentment over perceived mistreatment. The phrase is often used in a less serious manner in relation to someone or something that is out of control and causing trouble (e.g., a dog tearing up the living room furniture might be said to be running amok). Such usage does not imply murderous actions, and any emotional implications (e.g., rage, fear, excitement) must be gleaned from context.

Amok originated from the Malay word mengamok, which roughly defined means “to make a furious and desperate charge” much like the ancient Norse berserker warriors practiced before going into battle. According to Malay culture, amok was rooted in a deep spiritual belief. They believed that amok was caused by the hantu belian, which was an evil tiger spirit that entered one’s body and caused the heinous act, as a result of the belief, those in Malaysian culture tolerated amok and dealt with the after effects with no ill will towards the assailant.

“Amok” has a big cast of some of the more underrated movie, stage and TV performers in the country today. Names such as Mark Gil, Nonie Buencamino, Garry Lim, Efren Reyes Jr., Spanky Manikan, Dido Delapaz, Archi Adamos, Ermie Concepcion, Lui Manansala, Patricia Ismael, Tuxs Rutaquio, John Arceo, Ku Aquino, Roli Inocencio, Acey Aguilar, Amante Pulido, Nico Antonio, Lowell Conales, Ivy Rivero, Xavi Hemady, Wovi Villanueva, Bryan Cabase, Akira Sapla, and Michelle Nollora converge to make an intense movie that is both raw and jarring. Lawrence Fajardo directs from a screenplay by John Bedia.