Direk Erik Matti on a crusade to save the aswang mythology through his movies

December 10 2014

By CHERRY SUN

PHOTO BY ELISA AQUINO, GMANetwork.com

For Direk Erik Matti, there is more to his craft than simply directing and writing for movies.

For his Metro Manila Film Festival entry Kubot, Direk Erik is determined to preserve the mythology of aswangs in the Filipino culture.

“Ayokong mamatay ‘yun,” he emphasized in an interview with GMANetwork.com.

It came to his disbelief when he found that the youth and even young adults are no longer familiar with the myth of the aswangs. In fact, he revealed they had to tweak some of their promotions for Tiktik to help their viewers grasp some awareness on these creatures.

For the second installment of The Aswang Chronicles, he will introduce the Kubot, a bat-like creature who uses its overgrown hair to prey on its victims.

“Sayang naman [kung] mawala ‘yung aswang na idea ng Pinoy. Iba talaga pag may binabalikan ka na kultura natin,” the award-winning director said.

“I want it to be constantly in the films. So gusto ko hindi talaga mawala ‘yung aswang kasi parang buhay na buhay ka nung bata ka pa, pag may nagkwento sa’yo ng ‘Uy, may aswang daw dun sa kabilang province.’ Nakakatuwa eh,” he continued.

What does he aspire in directing Kubot?

“Lahat ng tao medyo cynical na ‘di ba. Wala nang naniniwala masyado sa mga bagay-bagay. So gusto ko sana ma-keep natin ‘yung parang in awe pa rin tayo of things, kahit fantasy pa siya. And not become too logical, or too jaded or cynical,” Direk Erik concluded.