Watch Purgatoryo

Purgatoryo is a 2016 Filipino independent film directed by Roderick Cabrido. The movie follows the story of Ilyong, a gravedigger who lives in a graveyard, and his journey to find a way out of purgatory. A slim man with an unkempt appearance, Ilyong lives a solitary life but constantly talks to a picture of his wife and daughter. One day, while digging a grave, Ilyong finds a woman's corpse with a ring on her finger. He takes the ring as valuable treasure but later discovers that it carries a curse. Ilyong becomes plagued by the apparition of a ghost who wants her ring back. The ghost's demands make Ilyong's job incredibly difficult as he tries to appease her without revealing the treasure's location to his employers or colleagues.

Meanwhile, Ilyong discovers that he is not alone in the graveyard. Several other people live there, including an old man known as the "Alpha Dog" who lords over the other homeless residents. The Alpha Dog forces Ilyong to exchange food for his protection and prioritizes him over the others. Ilyong's new position is challenged by a rookie gravedigger named Dido, who he took under his wing. Dido tries to compete with Ilyong, but circumstances force him to defer to Ilyong's authority.

As the apparitions of the ghost become worse, Ilyong starts to unravel. His mental health deteriorates as he deals with guilt, loneliness, and the ghost's haunting. He becomes more paranoid, and his obsession with the ring takes over his life. Eventually, Ilyong discovers the identity of the girl whose ring he stole. Her name was Lyn, and she died of a drug overdose. He sets out to find her grave and return the ring to her resting place.

The movie is a commentary on the society's poorest people and their struggle for survival. The characters are representative of this neglected group and their perception of death. It highlights how society's most impoverished members are left buried and forgotten.

The film's cinematography is one of the highlights, and it captures the dingy, bleak atmosphere of the graveyard. The camera follows Ilyong as he navigates through the tombs, making us wonder if the spirits are as present in the movie as in Ilyong's delusions. The film's score is haunting and evokes the horror of purgatory.

The acting performances by the cast are solid, particularly Jess Mendoza's portrayal of Ilyong. He gives a touching performance as a man who is forced to face mortality and isolation. Kristoffer King, as the Alpha Dog, is also impressive, adding depth to his menacing character.

In conclusion, Purgatoryo is a thought-provoking movie that addresses issues of poverty, death, and life's meaning. The film is an impressive achievement for Cabrido and the cast, and it deserves the recognition it has received. Purgatoryo may be a bleak, dark tale, but it's also an emotional one that explores the limits of the human spirit.