“Amo” is about the war waged by Pres. Duterte against the drug menace. The story revolves on a high school student, played by newcomer Vince Rillon, who sidelines in drug trafficking and ends up embroiled in a ruthless world of corrupt politicians and law enforces and merciless drug kingpins.
Brillante believes the drug war is justified. “It’s needed not only in the Philippines but even in other nations afflicted with the worsening drug problem,” he says. “Everything we show in it is based on research and real life situations, showing the plight of both the victims and those who victimize them.”
His recent film, “Ma Rosa”, also tackled the illegal drug trade and won the Cannes best actress award for Jaclyn Jose. But “Amo” has now become controversial. Human rights groups are against Mendoza, accusing “Amo”, which also stars Derek Ramsay and Allen Dizon playing cops, as a propaganda for the government who resorts to short cuts in killing accused drug traffickers.
The mother of a victim of summary killing is now collecting signatures to petition Netflix to stop airing the show. Human rights advocates like Free Legal Assistant Group, Asian Network of People who use Drugs (ANPUD). International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD) Akbayan group and DAKILA group are asking Netflix to cancel the streaming of the show as it just glorifies Duterte’s war on drugs.
Brillante says they should watch the series first before jumping into any rushed conclusions. “I’d rather have my work do the talking as the series speaks volumes about what I want to say about the illegal drug trade,” he says. “I think Netflix got interested in it because the way it was shot is very realistic, with a documentary-style shoot and unlike your typical TV series.”
