Manila Skies starts as a solid dose of social realism, walking us through the grim reality of surviving without position or qualifications in Manila. We follow Raul after giving up his job as a dockside loader, as he initially tangles frustratingly with Philipino bureaucracy to escape from his situation then falls in with a group of petty criminals and participates in one of their exploits. Finally, at the end of his tether and no longer coping, he resorts to an extreme measure. As the film ends we realise that we have been led through a nifty and moving flashback structure.
The film-maker, Raymond Red, has been making films since he was 17, and involves himself in all aspects of it. This film is beautifully shot in attenuated colour at the brown end of the spectrum, almost sepia, and slowly builds to a tense, moving and exciting ending. It shows Raul to be a kind, gentle and good man who is damaged and finally destroyed by the harshness of life in Manila.
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