Adam, a Filipino-American takes a break from his ordinary life to travel to the Philippines for his father’s funeral. When he arrives at the airport, he receives a mysterious package containing a ringing mobile phone. A voice tells him that his mother and sister are being held hostage by a notorious faction of Islamic extremists. If Adam wants to see his family again he must obey every order from the cruel and sadistic voice on the end of the line. Adam is dragged all over the impoverished back streets of the Philippines where he receives a crash course in a culture he has neglected. Throughout his terrifying journey he experiences a shocking world where life is cheap and desperation is the only true currency. Adam’s unknown fate is finally revealed when he is forced to make a decision between carrying out a terrorist act and the lives of his mother and sister.

Although Cavite is highly politicised it does try not to make the all too common error of being overtly one-sided and polemical. The Islamic terrorists in this film are real villains who perform despicable acts but they are made eerily sympathetic as the audience learns more about the rationale behind their cause. The directing debut of Ian Gamazon (who also plays the role of Adam) and Neill Dela Llana is a riveting and disturbingly realistic film which will leave you gasping for air all the way through. JV