Batang West Side
The sidewalk murder of a Filipino teen from Jersey City starts a police investigation that reveals an underworld of crystal meth and gang warfare in Diaz’s study of the myth of the American dream.
Running a comparatively brisk (for Lav Diaz) five hours, Batang West Side unspools with the scope and ambition of a classic novel. Its inciting incident is the sidewalk murder of Hanzel (Yul Servo), a Filipino teen from Jersey City. As police detective Juan (the exceptional Joel Torre) plumbs the lives of Hanzel and his recently emigrated family, larger points emerge about the Philippine diaspora, the prevalence of shabu (crystal meth) and gang warfare among impoverished youths, and the myth of the American dream versus the reality of a young man failed by his community. Shot mostly with available light by Miguel V. Fabie III, Batang West Side won a host of international prizes, including Best Film at the Singapore International Film Festival. New 35mm restoration courtesy of the Austrian Film Museum.
There will be no intermission. Lav Diaz encourages you to take breaks as needed.
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