The Halt

Story

A dictator as buffoon: Lav Diaz presents a manifesto against the authoritarian rulers of his home country and elsewhere. In the year 2034 the Philippines are in chaos. After a volcanic eruption, darkness, disease and the despot Nirvano Navarra rule the land. Drones and soldiers roam the country hunting dissidents: activists, artists, priests, intellectuals. And yet, in the shadows resistance flourishes in the form of people like the partisan Hook, and ways of overthrowing the regime are discussed. Navarra is portrayed as a bloodthirsty clown, a retarded marionette under the control of his security forces. Similarities to current rulers are no coincidence.

Director

LAV DIAZ (*1958 on Mindanao, Philippines) is one of the most influential film-makers of today. Well-known for their long running times and unique style, his works have won prizes at festivals in Venice, Locarno and Berlin. FILMFEST HAMBURG has shown numerous of his films and in 2019 he was a guest in the section »Gegenwartskino im Fokus«.

Trailer