012609IWa

"Bye-bye Birdie!"


Fish nets are designed to catch fish. But in the cold mountain passes of Luzon, in the darkest of nights, fish nets sweep the air to catch wild birds. Some of the birds are colorful and rare, but nearly all are eaten. More than a few could be migratory birds bringing in bird flu.

Howie Severino and his team of adventure-seeking documentarists hang out with these native bird trappers and try to understand their rugged culture and raw motivations. Accompanying the documentarists on their journey to Nueva Vizcaya are two passionate bird lovers, artist Arnel Telesforo and bird guide Nicky Icarangal, who struggle to come to terms with the harsh treatment of their feathered friends, and remind viewers that the Filipino's relationship with the wild is changing.

Howie and his team also venture with Arnel to Balanga, Bataan where wild migratory birds in the thousands are not harmed. Rather, in the bright morning sun, they are counted, recorded, and photographed by Arnel and friends with tender loving care.

In this story of life and death, set in both night and day, I-Witness finds a parable that encompasses both the ruthless force of human need and the redemptive power of compassion.

The documentary ends with a stark choice facing the documentarists: do they remain detached observers of willful killing or do they cross the line to extend innocent life?

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People & Blogs

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• kwadernongtagaulat
• howieseverino