Director brings gritty Philippine slums to screen

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

BUSAN, South Korea (AFP) — When filmmaker Jim Meer Libiran turned his camera on the mean streets of Manila's slums, he almost set off a turf war between rival gangs.

But with determination and a few hot meals, he was able to convince the young gang-bangers to stop beefing and try acting instead.

"I told them that this could be a way out of their situation," Libiran says. "To get this film made I had to become a gang leader myself. And I offered them lots of food."

The result was "Tribe", a gritty debut now in the running for a major prize at the 12th annual Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea, where it has been winning rave reviews for its unflinching look at street life.

The hip-hop infused film is set in the Tondo district of the...