Kinatay

Kinatay ( or ) is a 2009 thriller film directed by Brillante Mendoza and written by Armando Lao. The story is centered on a criminology student (Coco Martin) who accidentally joins a syndicate to make enough money for his family, and gets involved in murder and dismembering of an erring drug dealer. The film premiered at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Director Award, the first Filipino film to do so, although the film was notorious for being critically panned by critics including Roger Ebert. The film was included in the 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival. Plot Newly-wedded Criminology student Peping works as a part-time drug money collector for a shady syndicate. During a routine collection of drug money one night at Luneta Park, his friend Abyong informs him that their boss Kap (or Vic) requires his presence for another secret "operation". Peping reluctantly agrees and they enter a van parked nearby, where four other men (Kap, Sarge, Chico, and driver Rommel) were waiting. The van stops by a night club and Sarge convinces prostitute Madonna (or Gina) to speak to Kap in the van. Inside the van, Madonna is abruptly beaten and restrained with duct tape. As the van is about to enter the NLEX tollway, an unidentified boss (Gen) calls Kap and orders them to put down Madonna. Sarge and Chico beat her unconscious and the group believes she is dead. At the expressway, a police car is in pursuit but eventually overtakes and arrests another driver.