ALPHA - THE RIGHT TO KILL
by Brillante Mendoza
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the Philippines Government’s crackdown on illegal drugs, a SWAT-led police force launches an operation to arrest Abel, one of the biggest druglords in Manilla. Police Officer Espino and Elijah, a small-time pusher turned informant, provide the intelligence for the operation which quickly escalates into a violent and heavily-armed confrontation in the slums between the SWAT and Abel’s gang. Before the investigators arrive at the crime scene, Espino and Elijah walk off with Abel’s backpack full of money and methamphetamine. This gesture of survival for one and corruption for the other will soon set off a dangerous series of events, both of them risking their reputations, families and lives in the process.
Cast: Allen Dizon, Elijah Filamor, Baron Geisler, Jalyn Taboneknek.
2019 / Philippines / 94 min / Filipino, English
Produced by Carlo Valenzona
Special Jury Prize Winner at San Sebastian
“Punchy docudrama-style execution and an involving narrative that bowls along like, well, gangbusters, give Alpha an immediacy”
“Troy Espiritu’s script is taut and to the point, and gives the impression of being - grounded in hard research”
— Screen Daily
“Mendoza’s most propulsive and engrossing variation on his favored themes in some time. It’s also his most straight-up genre exercise to date”
— Variety
