The Nightcrawlers

About The Nightcrawlers (2019)

The Nightcrawler (2019) is a compelling documentary directed by Alexander A. Mora. The movie provides an unflinching exposé of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody campaign against alleged drug dealers and addicts, as witnessed by photojournalist Raffy Lerma. It provides insight into the realities on the ground, revealing the true consequences of Duterte’s brutal "Drug War".

Making / Production

The Nightcrawlers was a National Geographic Documentary Films production. Using intimate camerawork, the production team captured the gritty reality of the situation, taking the viewers on an unsettling journey deep into the streets of Manila, where the killings occur.

Actors

• Raffy Lerma - The photojournalist at the heart of this documentary. He played himself, narrating his experiences and showcasing the images he captures in this dire reality.
• Unnamed witnesses and community members - Each playing real versions of themselves, their testimonies add depth and urgency to the narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Nightcrawlers refers to the group of photo-journalists working at night to document the massive loss of life in Manila's streets.
• The team often took significant personal risks to get the footage used in the film, with the director describing the process as "one of the biggest challenges in my career".

Quotes

• "I have to cover the killings. By doing this, by showing this to the people, it's my way of telling people that this is wrong."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's music and sound design were purposefully haunting, aiming to translate the dark and gruesome realities into the audio experience.
• Credit goes to original music composer Gil Talmi and sound designer Peter Albrechtsen for brilliantly creating a sense of suspense and doom.

Awards

The director Alexander A. Mora has received critical acclaim for The Nightcrawlers, including Best Short Documentary at the Grierson Awards and nominations at various other film festivals.