"Bugaw" (2023) is a Filipino film directed by Yam Laranas. Here's a breakdown of the main cast and crew:
Directed by:
- Yam Laranas
Writing Credits:
- Yam Laranas (written by)
- Gin De Mesa (uncredited)
Cast:
- Alexa Ocampo as Dolores
- Clifford Pusing as Isaac
- Jay Manalo as Ser
- Ataska Mercado as Lydia
- Raul Morit as Abraham
- Juharra Asayo as Gloria
- MJ Cayabyab as Jovie
- Gwen Garci as Store Owner
- Don Melvin Boongaling as Farm Hand
- Manu Respall as Fertilizer Supplier
- Bong Estanislao as Woodsman
- And many others.
Produced by:
- Vincent Del Rosario III (producer)
- Vic Del Rosario Jr. (executive producer)
- Hermie Go (senior associate producer)
- MJ A. Hernandez (associate producer)
- Clarence Sesbreño (associate producer)
- Adrian Tecson (line producer)
- June Torrejon-Rufino (supervising producer)
Music by:
- Yam Laranas
Cinematography by:
- Yam Laranas
Edited by:
- Beng Bandong
Production Design by:
- Carmela Danao
Art Direction by:
- Jeffrey Anthony Javina
Set Decoration by:
- Richard S. Jimenez
This film delves into the dark and gritty world of prostitution within a family setting, exploring themes of survival, exploitation, and desperation. It features a strong ensemble cast and is directed by Yam Laranas, known for his work in Filipino cinema.
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bugaw Alexa Ocampo and new Vivamax actress Ataska Mercado star in this latest Vivamax original from writer/ director Yam Laranas. In the film, we follow the family of Dolores (Ocampo), a twenty-two-year-old woman who works as a prostitute in their sleepy countryside town. She is pimped by her own father, Abraham (Raul Morit) to support their family, composed of her younger brother Isaac (Clifford Pusing) and sister, Gloria (Juharra Zhianne Asayo). But when tragedy strikes their family and their father dies, they are left to find ways of their own to survive. And so Dolores and Isaac both decides to continue their family business. But things become more difficult for them when a corrupt cop, only known with his alias Ser (Jay Manalo) enters the picture. Written and directed by Yam Laranas, this latest Vivamax original is an improvement over his last original film from the streaming service. It's not exactly as effective as his last good film, the Nadine Lustre-starrer "Greed." But at least, it's not as bad as the forgettable "Laruan." The film immediately makes it clear to the viewer that this kind of business is part of their family's everyday life, a means for their family to get by. It'll definitely offend the more sensitive audiences with its unapologetic and unabashed straightforwardness, but the film doesn't really give a shit about that, which makes it even more effective. At times, it even allows itself to be fun, like when she gets hired to devirginize a young man by his father. The campy moments occasionally add a bit of humor into the proceedings, but they don't ruin the film's overall mood. The main characters are basically kids, with the eldest, Dolores, not being fully mature enough. At twenty-two years old, she still sounds like a child, probably because she didn't have enough time to spend during her childhood as she is forced to face reality at an early age. With only an old cellphone, a notebook, and a bayong containing a blanket and some condoms, they go about their daily business, using her young body as their main product. Its concept about kids being thrown into a world without an adult properly guiding and looking out for them is actually pretty interesting and got me hooked. It's a world where adults, mostly the men, take advantage and preying on the weak and the minority (even the homosexuals and the younger women of their town), and even has a policeman abusing his authority to exploit others as its main antagonist. And while many of the scenes are pretty difficult to watch, the way the film explores how these kids are pushed further into desperation with their situation is pretty absorbing. The film's best aspect is the music by Laranas, which adds an unsettling mood to the proceedings. It's also pretty stylish, displaying his great eye for detail. t's well acted, with Jay Manalo delivering another effectively menacing turn as the film's antagonist. And to my surprise, Laranas manages to bring out the best from Clifford Pusing in this film. Alexa Ocampo is also watchable here as Dolores, and while there's more to be desired from Ataska's performance, I think she's pretty good as Lydia. It's unabashedly exploitative, but in an effectively disturbing and heartbreaking way. It's admittedly stepping into poverty porn territory, albeit with a more glossy look. It also doesn't hit all of its marks, and it's not as satisfying as I've hoped it would be. But thanks to its watchable performances particularly from Jay Manalo, fast pacing, and its unapologetic fierceness that assaults the viewer, it's worth checking out.
