Gawad Alternatibo Retrospective on Documentary
Gawad Alternatibo Retrospective on Documentary
by Christ Dustly Go Tan
Documentary films differ from fiction and narrative as these are actual realities and stories. It captures urgent truths of its select protagonists to broaden our understanding of the overall bigger picture of the systemic problem at play. The rising increase in documentary films and their many subject matters is a reflection of the political turmoil our democracy is facing.
As Cinemata continues to be a growing archive of Philippine Alternative Cinema, let’s revisit the past winners of the CCP Gawad Alternatibo Documentary Category that are now part of Cinemata’s archives and their continued relevance in the contemporary political climate. This curated set of past winners, with a conversation with the filmmakers, reflects how documentaries unearth personal and political truths.
Gipaambit Gikan sa Tubig by Anne Miguel Cervantes
33rd CCP Gawad Alternatibo Documentary Category, 3rd Place Winner
Archival footage from old technologies carries stories that reflect a point in time, and retrospectively looking back on it reveals an underlying narrative that connects in contemporary settings. Documenting social issues can start by using available technologies.
Watch Mga Gipaambit Gikan sa Tubig here
Pasilong by Toni Canete
34th CCP Gawad Alternatibo Documentary Category, 1st Place Winner
This time, she was provided a safe space to confront the past once more, where she was allowed to, and she was not alone in this battle. Since 4 years have passed, documentaries remind us that they can be personal stories and that only faces and bodies have changed, but fascism continues to haunt, and it takes personal and collective action to confront the hauntings of abuse and violence.
Baon sa Biyahe by James Magnaye
35th CCP Gawad Alternatibo Documentary Category, 2nd Place Winner
With the phaseout plan still ongoing, the stories in the documentary became a time capsule that preserves memories and remembers the political violence that marked a moment in time in the overall struggle. Documentaries are not defined by budget but by genuine curiosity and a heart to document stories that matter.
To unearth personal and political truths, documentary films can begin by using archives and accessible technologies, confronting the hauntings of the past, and discovering stories with genuine curiosity and a heart. Documentary films are time capsules that continue to carry, confront, and capture real stories of struggles.
For its 4th consecutive year, Cinemata has been the official streaming platform of CCP Gawad Alternatibo, bringing Filipino alternative cinema to the digital regions to continue sparking critical conversations while providing a safe space for these alternative works.