Like this article? Share it!
“I think it’s a sign of a society in deep shit when the art gets really good.” – Bill Hicks
Sister Stella L. (1984)
One of the most famous protest films from the martial law era, directed by Mike de Leon. It follows a nun who, after seeing the suffering of striking factory workers, joins their cause and becomes an activist, challenging her own beliefs and the corrupt establishment.
On the Job (2013)
A gritty crime thriller that exposes the collusion between politicians and organized crime. It tells the story of two hitmen who are temporarily released from prison to perform assassinations for corrupt officials, revealing the disturbing reality of a system where justice is for sale.
Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975)
Directed by National Artist Lino Brocka, this neorealist masterpiece is a scathing critique of urban poverty and the systemic exploitation that traps people. It follows a young man’s desperate search for his fiancée in Manila, only to be swallowed by the city’s corrupt underbelly.
Kisapmata (1981)
Mike de Leon’s chilling psychological horror film is a metaphor for the oppressive power of the state under martial law. It tells the story of a young woman living under the tyrannical control of her father, an allegory for the widespread fear and control of the Marcos regime.
Bang Bang Alley (2014)
Released in 2014, Bang Bang Alley is a Filipino crime drama anthology film. It’s composed of three distinct stories, each directed by a different filmmaker (Ely Buendia, King Palisoc, and Yan Yuzon), that are all connected by the theme of violence, corruption, and betrayal in Philippine society.
Dekada ’70 (2002)
Based on the acclaimed novel by Lualhati Bautista, this film follows a middle-class family as they navigate life under the Marcos dictatorship. It chronicles how their children become involved in different forms of activism, exposing the human cost of the regime’s brutality.
Citizen Jake (2018)
Directed by Mike de Leon, this film centers on a journalist and son of a Marcos crony who investigates the murder of a student. As he digs deeper, he confronts the dark legacy of his family’s past and the endemic corruption that still plagues the nation.
Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (1984)
Directed by Lino Brocka, this film was smuggled out of the Philippines to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival because it was banned by the Marcos regime. It tells the story of a worker who, driven by poverty and injustice, is forced to turn to a life of crime. The title translates to “My Country: Holding on to a Knife,” a powerful metaphor for the desperation of the Filipino people.
Insiang (1976)
Another Lino Brocka classic, this film is a brutal portrayal of a young woman living in the slums of Tondo who seeks revenge after being abused. It strips away any romanticism of poverty and shows how extreme social conditions can lead to moral decay and violence.
Heneral Luna (2015)
A historical epic that focuses on the life of General Antonio Luna. While fighting against American colonizers, Luna is betrayed by his fellow Filipino officials, highlighting how internal corruption and political infighting can sabotage even the most noble nationalist causes.
Batch ’81 (1982)
Also by Mike de Leon, this film uses the brutal hazing rituals of a fraternity as an allegory for authoritarianism and the corrupting nature of power. It’s a dark exploration of how young men are initiated into a violent and apathetic system.
Liway (2018)
Based on a true story, this film recounts the experience of a young boy who grew up in prison with his mother, a political dissident and anti-Marcos rebel. The film highlights the resilience and hope of activists who fought for freedom during a dark period in Philippine history.
Sakada (1976)
Directed by Behn Cervantes, this film tells the story of sugarcane workers who organize a strike against an abusive landlord. The film’s depiction of the workers’ plight and the brutal reprisal they face directly mirrored real-life events, leading to its censorship and the director’s arrest.
Orapronobis (1989)
Lino Brocka’s raw and powerful film about the aftermath of the EDSA People Power Revolution. It shows that even after the dictator’s ouster, human rights abuses and political violence continue under the new administration. The film was so controversial that it was banned in the Philippines.
NeP-C Ledesma is a millennial writer and entrepreneur full of curiosity about our abstract world. She devours Psychology, food, Philosophy, and prefer cats as her all-time company. Pop Culture is her kryptonite.
Related
Like this article? Share it!
NeP-C Ledesma
Source link