I remember when few years ago Ruined Heart, the earlier work of a Filipino independent artist, was shown at New Horizons Film Festival. Khavn, who was present at the festival, greeted the audience with a sexist rant about the fact that all the women in the room are whores and all men are gangsters who are supposed to subdue those whores. And the poetics of this inaccurate argument and the film were calculated for a great shock.
I admit, I didn’t know what I was signing up at the time. However not shocked, I was getting quite irritated that I saw a projection that can be added to dictionary examples of the proper use of the word “pretentious”. When I quickly and nervously walked out of the room leading some viewers with a similar opinion, I came across the characteristic figure of the director, dressed in always-bright Hawaiian shirts. Khavn apparently remembered this encounter, because during the screening of another movie, when he noticed my presence, he didn’t fail to show me his middle finger. The gesture had a lot of grace, and the situation was probably funny for both of us.
Since then, I have avoided the Filipino artist and promised myself that I would avoid his art as well. However, when I saw that his new film would be shown during the Warsaw Film Festival, I couldn’t resist. Perhaps I was secretly counting on other middle finger or something that would actually cause me a severe shock. Although I saw the director on the street, he probably didn’t recognize me. Well, it is nothing, I thought, maybe the film would give me the expected effect.
I was wrong, it was completely different. This time, despite being related to the previous works, when it comes to the original style, the unique work of the camera and the presence of criminals and policemen, it was very calm. Moreover, the artist managed to recall the unique atmosphere of Manila’s nightlife and street anxiety, constantly accompanying life in the chaotic city. Two policemen are carrying criminals, squeezing through the thick darkness of the city. There is more form than content, but Khavn does it well. Anyway, if you want to learn more about the history and specificity of the Philippines, you can always reach for Lav Diaz. In contrast, for uncompromising Khavn these are insignificant threads, just simple suggestions.
Handheld camera, which Khavn like to abuse, and in Ruined Heart left me with a headache, this time became a component, perfectly illustrating the fragmentation and danger of the city-monster and those who live in the dark (maybe it was thanks to another operator).
So I got a sort of a shock! Although I did not expect anything good, I got a pretty nice visual curiosity. Even if I have a good impression of Bamboo Dogs, Mr. Khavn, we will not bury the hatchet. It is true that you managed to show the better side of yourself, but where is the middle finger?
