Aswang (1994)

Interesting facts

Aswang, also called The Unearthing, is a 1994 American horror film directed and written by Wrye Martin and Barry Poltermann. It is based on the mythical creature that feeds on the unborn in Philippine folklore, with the screenplay written following a story telling session by Frank L. Anderson, who was a friend of the filmmakers. The movie was written by amateur directors Wyre Martin and Barry Poltermann and shot with a low budget, while actors were paid just $50 a day with the expectation they would receive a cut of any future profit. Many of the actors were cast from Milwaukee theater group Theatre X, most of whom had never acted in a film before.

Production

The film was based on a Filipino vampire legend and set in the northwoods of northern Wisconsin. Co-director Barry Poltermann had originally written another script and upon showing it to friend Frank L. Anderson, was advised they needed to "do something crazy that was going to break through and get attention", with Anderson believing that the script would amount to a "by-the-numbers" horror film.

The limited budget of the film meant the cast and crew were unable to travel to the Philippines, so they instead opted to change the story to a family that grew up in the Philippines but moved to America.

Martin made his production debut with the film, which he believed was "such an arresting story" and provided the subtext they needed, as they did not want to do a "senseless, blood-letting slasher film." Co-director Poltermann noted there was a sense of "let's try this, let's try that" to determine what would work and would not and that it was deliberately shot in this manner, although he suggested that if he were to do another film he would "be…

Filming took place during October and November 1992 at various locations around southeastern Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee, Lake Geneva, while some exterior shots were filmed along Wisconsin Highway 142 and Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County. Although the mansion in the film was supposed to be located in the countryside, it was actually in the middle of downtown Whitefish Bay.

According to Poltermann, the film, shot during the autumn with leaves decomposing, had a "secluded feel to it", making it look like it was "set in northern Wisconsin," despite being around 30 minutes away from Milwaukee. Filming was mostly outdoors, often starting at 8am each morning and would sometimes not finish until 11pm.

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