Underplayed Gems

Muro-Ami (1999)

Muro-Ami poster
Original title
Muro-ami
Directed by
Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Genre
action, adventure, drama
Country
Philippines
Runtime
2h
Rated
PG-13
Rating
10.0 of 10 from 1 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A ruthless fishing captain leads a crew of muro-ami divers who illegally smash coral reefs to drive fish into nets. The film shows the brutal conditions and child labor involved in this destructive fishing practice.

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What happens

Muro-Ami (transl. Reef Hunters) is a 1999 Filipino adventure drama film co-produced and directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and written by Ricky Lee and Jun Lana from the director's original story concept. It stars Cesar Montano as Fredo, a ruthless captain of 150 muro-ami divers, who employ illegal fishing practices, such as pounding and crushing corals to scare fish, driving them towards the nets. It depicts one of the worst forms of child labor in the illegal fishing system. Produced and distributed by GMA Films, the film was theatrically released on December 25, 1999, as one of the official entries to the 25th Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won 13 out of 14 nominations, including Best Picture. In 2026, the film was digitally restored and remastered by Central Digital Lab. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

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