Screening – Give Up Tomorrow

Give Up Tomorrow is the harrowing story of  Paco Larrañaga, a young man falsely accused of the murder of two Chinese-Filipino girls. Despite being surrounded by dozens of witnesses, Paco is taken into custody and faced with the possibility of a death sentence. A nationwide media frenzy descends upon his imprisonment, and even though he was on Manila island hundreds of miles away from the murders, Paco is blamed. Coming from a traditional powerful race and caste of Filipino society, Paco plays the much sought-after role of villain.

 

With two groups of class and race profiled as victims and perpetrators and the media speculating on print daily, the case sees an unprecedented amount of extra-judicial attention. No matter how hard Paco fights, and how the victims’ families fight, the media circus will not back down and the country is gripped.

 

In a mix of journalism and back-door politics, Give Up Tomorrow examines the corrupt and unimaginable Filipino legislative system. Paco’s landmark case may have changed the laws on capital punishment, but he is still incarcerated for life. With interviews from the families of the victims and  the Larrañaga family itself, to journalist, drug dealers, and police officers, Give Up Tomorrow offers an unseen glimpse into the surreal world of the Philippines’ crime and punishment.

 

2011
Directed by Michael Collins