Nat Geo’s documentary on Philippines’ drug war shortlisted for Oscars

A documentary film that explores the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs just reached Oscars. In fact, it has been shortlisted in the documentary short subject category for the 92nd edition of Academy Awards. Nat Geo’s The Nightcrawlers features freelance photojournalists embarking on a mission to expose the true cost of the violent campaign.

Its synopsis reads, “Through covering both sides of the conflict, The Nightcrawlers reveals a harrowing twist behind Duterte’s deadly crusade.”

One of the freelance photojournalists featured is Raffy Lerma. He is known for his noteworthy, yet dramatic photo of a woman cradling her gunned-down loved one in a drug-related incident.

Aside from that, the documentary also features the members of the clandestine death squad “paid to kill with impunity” through interviews. Meanwhile, its trailer can be watched on the official youtube account of National Geographic.

“With unprecedented access, THE NIGHTCRAWLERS follows a small group of determined photojournalists on a mission to expose the true cost of the deadly war on drugs waged by Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte,” Nat Geo wrote.

In fact, the short documentary was made by the no other than the award-winning producer Joanna Natasegara. Also, this is under the direction of Alexander Mora. The docu-film can be streamed on the Nat Geo TV app.

Meanwhile, the nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards will be announced on January 13 (Monday), 2020.

Photo appeared as Featured Image from National Geographic’s “The Nightcrawlers”