Ang Hupa

Ang Hupa
282 mins/ Black and White

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Synopsis

It is the year 2034 AD and Southeast Asia has been in the dark for the last three years, literally, because the sun hasn’t shone as a result of massive volcanic eruptions at the Celebes Sea in 2031. Madmen control countries, communities, enclaves and bubble cities. Cataclysmic epidemics razed over the continent. Millions have died and millions have left.

Director’s Statement

I was wandering aimlessly by the waters of one of the cities I visited last year (for a film festival that hates Hollywood so much) and I passed by a group of locals listening intently, fondly to their ‘Socrates,’ an old man, and I had my camera and I recorded some parts of his soliloquy; the big waves and the strong wind, plus the wails of seagulls, albeit distracting, created a mix of poignancy and urgency, some dirge:
“Dictators… fascists… despots… mad leaders… they all have genetic predisposition to telling the world that they have the biggest cocks; or, they have voluminous bragging tales about their molestations and rapes of women; or, that they are the biggest cocksuckers in the world, with their plundered millions and billions stashed in their secret bank accounts in Switzerland and Singapore and the Bahamas; and having perennial delusions and fantasies of ambrosial romantic affairs; or, they profess to actually hearing the voice of God and other mystical creatures from thunderstorms and behind their ears, anointing them as the chosen ones. These incessant blusters extend to the other side of the black hole because this universe is just too small for these megalomaniacs. Humanity’s proclivity to ignorance and myth making always leads us to these people unfortunately, these psychos and schizos. Complicity and apathy play
big roles, too, albeit there are myriad reasons why people act the way they do. Psychiatrists and psychologists are wont to deduce that we are all guilty, on varying degrees and levels, depending on what interest we have. What are they inside the walls of their palaces, mansions, summer hideaways and safe houses? And why is it that only mob culture can truly destroy them?” When the crowd dispersed, and him, now seemed calm and seated on a big stone and just staring at the imposing ocean, I tried to connect by saying hello. He said not who but “What are you?” I said, I am a filmmaker, sir.
And the next question came fast: “What can cinema do?” I was petrified.

We went for a few beers, lamenting about the state of the world. But he remains optimistic. I told him that I was about to shoot a new film, which is a mix of sci-fi and horror; about the death of a dictator, the death of morality, the death of truth. His parting words before he was engulfed by the darkness:

Don’t trust what you know.

Cast

Hook Torollo
Piolo Pascual

President Navarra
Joel Lamangan

Haminilda Rios
Shaina Magdayao

Martha Officio
Hazel Orencio

Marissa Ventura
Mara Lopez

Jean Hadoro
Pinky Amador

Mailman
Joel Saracho

Mennen Reyes
Philip Heremans

Fr. Romero
Noel Miralles

Crew

Director/Editor/Writer/Producer/
Cinematographer/Production Designer
Lav Diaz

Production Manager/Assistant Director
Hazel Orencio

Cinematographer
Daniel Uy

Art Directors
Max Celada
Allen Alzola

Make-up artist
Abby Lagarico

Costume Designer
Ahmed Maulana

Hair and make-up artist
RJ Reyes

Production assistant
Cee Buban

Gaffer/Grip/Assistant Cameraman
Jerico Uy

Equipment caretaker/Utility assistant
Alvin Delas Alas

Utility personnel
Jay-r Escandor

BTS photographer
Lin Tu

Sound Designer
Corinne De San Jose

Sound Recordist
Jemboy Aguilar

Boom Operators
Martin Vitalicio
Bryan Dumaguina
JR Miano

Sound utility
Lou Jesric Castolome
Agatha Faye Buensalida
Nicholai Jaafar

DI Editor
Bienvenido Ferrer II

Colorist
Timmy Torres