‘Aswang' Wins Grand Prize In South Korea Filmfest

Filipino director Alyx Ayn Arumpac’s “Aswang” won the grand prize at the 12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, or DMZ Docs held from Sept. 17 to 24 in South Korea.

- Jonathan Hicap

“Aswang,” a Philippines-France production, was selected by the jury to win the White Goose Award, the grand prize, “given to the best film in the International Competition section.” The film was also awarded 15 million won (about $12,771 or ₱619,000) as cash prize.

“In 2016, a machinery was set in motion to execute suspected drug peddlers, users, and small-time criminals in the Philippines. ‘Aswang’ follows people whose lives entwine with the growing violence,” according to the synopsis on the film’s website.

Arumpac “studied film at the Docnomads Joint Master (Lisbon, Budapest, and Brussels) and the University of the Philippines.”

Japan’s “I-Documentary of the Journalist” by Mori Tatsuya won the Special Jury Award, or second-best film in the International Competition, and was awarded 7 million won (about $5,960 or ₱289,000). “Of Land and Bread” by Ehab Tarabieh received a Special Mention.