Alipato: The Very Brief Life of an Ember is a 2016 Filipino crime and drama movie that is as visually and thematically intense as it is philosophically and artistically reflective of several issues that have long plagued society. Written, directed, and co-produced by Khavn, this movie has a running time of 105 minutes and garnered several accolades for its unorthodox and avant-garde style.
The movie's plot centers on an underworld comprised of a motley crew of freelancers or "Alipato" who engages in stealing, robbing, and dealing drugs. At the center of the story is a father-son tandem who navigate the streets of Tondo, Manila, where most of the action occurs. The father, Johnny (Dido de la Paz), is an aging criminal who has spent most of his life on the streets and makes a living stealing water meters. His son Eric (Daniel Palisa), is the brains of the operations, concocting new ways to rob people blind. But despite their criminal backgrounds, the duo is shown to be humanistic in their ways, especially where they have to take care of one another.
Aside from Johnny and Eric's story, the movie features different subplots that reinforce its overall themes of fatalism, human connection, and social inequality. The characters include a blind man who makes a living by selling stolen food, two drug-addled young adults who cling to each other, a disillusioned priest, and a young woman who is about to give birth on the streets. All these characters are depicted with intense and often surrealism elements that add to the movie's overall effect.
Alipato: The Very Brief Life of an Ember is unique in its stylistics and artistic strokes. Instead of traditional cinematic styles, the movie is shot in black and white with hand-held digital cameras that give a jerky, disorienting shake to the scenes. This approach makes the movie feel like a frenzied dream or nightmare, fitting the themes of the plot. Additionally, the movie features a jarringly explosive experimental soundtrack that is as eclectic as the cinematography. Ranging from rock music to spoken word, noise, and electronica, the music fantastically drags the viewers across the emotional spectrum.
Furthermore, Khavn's Alipato: The Very Brief Life of an Ember has been noted for its explorations into social issues. As a movie, it calls attention to the social disparities that exist in Filipino society. The movie's portrayal of a world where people live off theft instinct and the law is often out of reach highlights the failures of governance and the social imbalances that lead to such crimes. Khavn also touches on themes of existentialism and human value. The characters' struggles for their lives and the connections they create amidst them raise questions about the meaning of life, purpose, and loss.
Overall, Alipato: The Very Brief Life of an Ember is an ode to the underdogs of society, to the individuals who live in the shadows of life, and to the outsized and vibrant world of Manila. It is an unapologetic, boundary-pushing work of art that demands attention and active participation from the viewer. Its unconventional cinematography, raucous music, jarring plotlines, and experimental direction are testament to Khavn's skills in bringing an eclectic vision to life. The movie's underlying themes of social inequality, existentialism, loss, and human connectivity make Alipato: The Very Brief Life of an Ember an unforgettable cinematic experience that is philosophically meaningful for those who appreciate unconventional, thought-provoking movies.
Alipato: The Very Brief Life of an Ember is a 2016 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.
