What the Government Should Know ("Astig" film review)

“When the government cannot see your sufferings, let them hear it through your words.”

 I remember stating this line in my media law essay just this semester. This was referring to the freedom to express which was, again, practiced by Director Giuseppe Bede Sampedro in his indie film, “Astig.”

“Astig” is a film which, like all indie films, exposes the realities of the society. The story revolved around four different men whose lives were interconnected. Ariel Darlucio (portrayed by Dennis Trillo) was a man who lived his whole adult life deceiving people which often lead to trouble. Boy (portrayed by Edgar Allan Guzman) was a young father-to-be who entered several rackets just to save money for his future baby. Ronald Chua (portrayed by Arnold Reyes), was a half-Chinese half-Chavacano who was left by his father and neglected by his half-siblings. Baste (portrayed by Sid Lucero), on the other hand, was an overprotective brother who wanted nothing but to help and protect his family.

If there was one lesson from this movie that I would cherish the most, it would be not to trust people easily. If we try to look at how Elgine (portrayed by Glaiza de Castro) and the other ladies were deceived by Ariel, we could see a pattern. It would appear that they were cheated because all of them looked only at his physical appearance and his courteousness towards them, which is, of course, not correct. If they just tried to be more cautious, things will be a whole lot different. There was also deception in the case of Ronald which also rooted from obliviousness.

If there was deception, there was certainly a cause for it. As we observed, all the characters were victims of the abuses of the society and of corrupt government officials. Ariel and Sally, the prostitute (portrayed by Keanna Reeves), only chose the wrong path because it seemed to be their last option. Boy and Jerome, on the other hand, chose to lose their dignity for money. Now, when we look at the bigger picture, all of them were doing incorrect things for survival. If they only had the choice, do you think they would still continue to do these things? Of course not.

What the director wants the government to know through this movie was that, if they want peace, they should reach out to those who had less. If only problems of poverty and unemployment were given priority, it would be more peaceful and there would be less crime. He also wanted the leaders to understand the situation that people in squatter areas experience.

Although the movie had some flaws (It normally happens in indie films) like faulty lighting and shakiness of the camera, which was sometimes distracting, I like the political touch of the movie. Everyone should not miss this one out.