Watch Birdshot

Birdshot is a Filipino independent film from 2016 that revolves around a young farm girl, Maya (Mary Joy Apostol), who accidentally shoots a Philippine eagle while hunting for food with her father. She discovers that the eagle is a protected animal and reports the incident to the authorities. Meanwhile, a newly appointed police officer, Domingo (Arnold Reyes), and his older partner investigate the disappearance of a bus-load of farmers who were protesting against a large-scale mining company that was destroying their land in the same area.

As the story unfolds, Maya's father is called in for questioning, and the officers begin to piece together what happened to the missing farmers. Maya is caught in the middle of the two investigations, and her innocent actions lead to ramifications that touch the entire community. As she begins to unravel the truth of what is happening around her, she must face dangerous obstacles that challenge her own beliefs and morals.

Birdshot is directed by Mikhail Red, and he does an incredible job of weaving the story, combining elements of mystery and suspense with stunning visuals of the countryside. The cinematography captures a stark contrast between the beauty of the environment and the dark realities of man's impact on nature. The film's portrayal of the Philippine eagle as a metaphor for the larger issue of preserving the country's natural resources is haunting and powerful.

The film's performances are equally impressive, with Mary Joy Apostol delivering a nuanced and compelling portrayal of Maya. The character's journey from a naive farm girl to a young woman facing the harsh realities of the world is captivating to watch. Arnold Reyes and John Arcilla also deliver exceptional performances as the two detectives on opposite sides of the investigation. Reyes' character is a rookie cop, determined to uphold the law, while Arcilla's character is a more experienced officer who is jaded and more interested in maintaining the status quo.

Aside from its captivating plot and stunning visuals, one of the most significant aspects of Birdshot is its commentary on issues that are relevant to the Philippines and the world at large. The film tackles topics such as environmental destruction, corruption, and abuse of power with a level of subtlety that is rare in cinema.

Overall, Birdshot is a masterpiece of Filipino cinema that manages to be both thought-provoking and entertaining. It is an excellent example of the type of filmmaking that comes from Southeast Asia, where directors such as Mikhail Red are innovating the genres and creating films that are not only relevant to their culture but also have universal appeal. The film has been acclaimed both domestically and internationally and has won several awards, including the Best Film award at the Asian Future Category in Tokyo International Film Festival.