Erik Matti is one of Asia’s most ambitious filmmakers. An assistant director to Peque Gallaga, he made his debut with Scorpio Nights 2 (1999), a sequel to his mentor’s erotic classic. He has made subversive horrors (Pa-siyam, Seklusyon), world-building fantasy epics (Tiktik, Exodus), gritty crime dramas (Ekis, On the Job) and costumed superhero films (Gagamboy, in-production Darna). While always audience-focused, Matti and his films are becoming more political; they have recently focused on systemic corruption and religious hypocrisy in the Philippines. BuyBust is his headiest achievement yet, spinning high-octane action tropes into a scathing commentary on the ongoing drug war. Here are his favorite Filippino films, in no particular order
1. Of the Flesh (Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 1983)

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2. Oro, Plata, Mata (Peque Gallaga, 1982)

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3. Scorpio Nights (Peque Gallaga, 1985)

4. City After Dark (Ishmael Bernal, 1980)

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5. Misteryo sa Tuwa (Uro Q. dela Cruz, 1984)

6. High School Circa ’65 (Maryo J. de los Reyes, 1978)

7. Rage (Chito Roño, 1995)

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8. Itanong Mo Sa Buwan (Chito Roño, 1988)

9. Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (Celso Ad. Castillo, 1978)

10. Bunso: The Youngest (Ditsi Carolino, 2005 )
