Delikado - PBS
PBS
Three environmental crusaders confront betrayal and murder as they battle to save an island paradise famed as the Philippines ‘last ecological frontier’
Palawan appears to be an idyllic tropical island. Its powder-white beaches and lush forests have made it one of Asia’s hottest new tourist destinations. But for a tiny network of environmental crusaders and vigilantes trying to protect its spectacular natural resources, it is more akin to a battlefield.
DELIKADO follows Bobby, Tata and Nieves, three magnetic leaders of this network, as they risk their lives in David versus Goliath-style struggles trying to stop politicians and businessmen from destroying the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier”.
It is a timely film emblematic of the struggles globally for land defenders as they are being killed in record numbers trying to save natural resources from being plundered by corporations and governments. As the world faces its sixth-mass extinction and the climate emergency worsens, it has never been a more dangerous time to be a land defender.
It is also a unique expose of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” in the Philippines, which has claimed thousands of lives and the International Criminal Court of Justice has said may amount to a crime against humanity. DELIKADO shows the drug war is used as a tool for politicians to control the levers of economic and political power.
DELIKADO offers a story of courage and resilience to inspire others into action.
EMMY NOMINATED, OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY
Premiered at Hot Docs 2022
Directed By: Karl Malakunas
Executive Produced By: Daniel J. Chalfen
THE MAKING OF THE SCORE
For the score of Delikado, the music had to reflect the slow build of tension like an environmental thriller, throughout the film as the story expands from a local to national and then international level. The themes of the characters – Bobby, Tata and Nueves, should be distinct from each other and reflect their motivations and journeys. The sound palette had to have an organic feel to it with flutes and drums that evoked the Palawan setting.
Tata’s theme has a slower pace, grounded and tooted, with a reflection of his earthiness and purity. He takes care of the family and is a farmer so his theme had to reflect the fact he is grounded, simple, solid, salt of the earth, pure in character.
This is in contrast to the energy of Bobby.
Bobby’s theme provides drive and energy to the film with an upbeat vibe that reflects his deep spiritual motivation.
There is an optimism to him. He has more energy and is dogged in his mission – out there at grass roots level.
Nueve’s theme has a positivity about her with a nurturing approach to her motivation that tries to unify the community.
She is motivated by public service and taking care of the citizens and justice. She is also confronted by forces and is a brave woman under threat.
She has a shield and there are moments she puts her guard down when she is singing in the car or playing with her family but also when she loses the election devastated which are very powerful moments. So we want to feel emotional but not sentimental with the music but also show her path in a positive way despite the fact she loses.
The forest has it’s own theme with a feeling of grace and beautiful shots that evoke the divine. This balances against the tension in the film with the three David’s against the giant Goliath.
Overall the music was not meant to hit with tension right at the beginning but have a slow build throughout the film, evoking the emotions and journeys of the characters.
There is tension throughout the film but with the positive determination through Bobby and Nueves we also have tension in the forest.
FILM REVIEWS
"A cinematic call for vigilance"
- LA Asian Pacific Film Festival
"...a timely environmental thriller"
- Hot Docs Film Festival
"Delikado tells its story...with immense emotional power"
- Cineuropa