Essential Truths of the Lake

When asked what drives someone to search for the truth, Lieutenant Papauran responds that he might just want to keep inflicting pain on himself. Faced with President Duterte’s bloody murders and brazen lies, he continues his struggle to solve a fifteen-year-old case amidst an ash-laden landscape and an impenetrable lake. It has become a burden he can barely handle, yet he must carry on.

Summoning his favourite character, Lieutenant Papauran, director Lav Diaz explores the aftermath of Duterte’s presidency by delving into an unsolved investigation that began fifteen years ago. A bewitching and rebellious odyssey steeped in the singular mark of the Filipino filmmaker.

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