Film Review

Name of Film : Dekada 70’

Director : Chito S. Rono

Genre:  True to life

Introduction:

“Dekada 70” is a film that  states  the life of Filipino people in late 70’s. You will know the actual story of the late 70’s people harassed by the military. Innocent civilians involved in war to fight the freedom of rights. And in this story you can see how poor people treated by the rich and wealthy man in the society.

“Dekada 70” in 1982 accept an award in the short story. And accept again in 3^rd time CCM Awards. It also play in television and film.

Sypnosis:

The film tells the story of a middle-class family in 1970s Philippines, and how they become aware of the political policies that have ultimately led to state repression and Martial Law.

Vilma Santos stars as Amanda Bartolome, who realizes the implications of living under a dictatorship after sorting out the contradictory reactions of her husband and five sons. Her husband, Julián (Christopher de Leon), supports their eldest son Julian, or "Jules" (Piolo Pascual), in his efforts to rail against the government and who later joins the underground Kilusán (Movement); he also refuses Amanda her wish to find a job. Their second son, Isagani, or "Gani" (Carlos Agassi), is in the United States Navy. Their third son, Emmanuel, or "Em" (Marvin Agustin), writes illegal political exposés and other banned literature. The fourth son, Jason, (Danilo Barrios), was found stabbed to death by corrupt policemen, and the youngest, Bingo (John Wayne Sace), is still a carefree adolescent. She also gains two daughters-in-law: Gani fathers Annaliza with his girlfriend, Evelyn (Dimples Romana), while Jules is revealed to have wed Mara (Ana Capri), a fellow member of the Kilusán and mother of their son.

Cast

Vilma Santos - Amanda Bartolome

Christopher de Leon - Julián Bartolome, Sr.

Piolo Pascual - Julian "Jules" Bartolome, Jr.

Marvin Agustin - Emmanuel "Em" Bartolome

Carlos Agassi - Isagani "Gani" Bartolome

Danilo Barrios - Jason Bartolome

John Wayne Sace - Benjamin "Bingo" Bartolome

Kris Aquino - student leader

Ana Capri - Mara

Dimples Romana - Evelyn

Jhong Hilario - Willy

Carlo Muñoz - René

Tirso Cruz III - Evelyn's Father

Orestes Ojeda - Dr. Rodrigo

Asley Fontanoza - Carlos Bartolome, Jr./Caloy/Cocoy

Marianne de la Riva - Evelyn's Mother

Manjo del Mundo - policeman

Cacai Bautista – rallyist

Dekada 70 is the one film you can be proud of…it emphasize the kind of living in the late 60’s and 70’s but it is more likely in 70’s. This story is focused to the life of Bartolome family were they are trapped in the time of martial law. You can see in this film how their children for the freedom of rights and freedom of expression despite of their difficult situation. Mrs. Amanda Bartolome played by Vilma Santos  is the mother of five boys and wife of Julian. She still remained  strong in the midst of Martial law. She witness how Marcos regime ruled that time.

Julian Bartolome, Sr. played by Christopher de Leon is Amanda’s husband who helped to raised their five kids in a nice way of living. He also the one who make a decision making and the one who protect the welfare of his  five (5) all boys kids.

Jules played by Piolo Pascual is the eldest of Amanda and Julian. He is the one who helped the NPA to stop the Marcos regime as well to express the human rights of Filipino people during Martial law.

Isagani played by Carlos Agassi is the second child of Amanda and Julian. He is a sailor as well the cream of the Bartolome’s. He also commit mistake coz his girlfriend Evelyn is pregnant.

 Emmanuel played by Marvin Agustin is the third child of Amanda and Julian. He chose to be a writer but his father Julian is against the chosen career of Em coz of low salary. He also wrote about the Martial law during the Marcos regime.

Jason played by Danilo Barrios is the fourth child of Amanda and Julian.  He is a typical teenager. He killed during the Marcos regime.

Benjamin played by JohnWayne is the youngest of Amanda and Julian. He is in the middle of his adolescence period.

Mara played by Ana Capri is the girl met by Jules before he went into the prison. She got pregnant and that the reason they got married.

Evelyn played by Dimples Romana is the girlfriend of Isagani. She got pregnant and after her delivery they got married.

Themes:

Fight for your rights, don’t allow anybody to step-on you….. Yes it taught the viewer that every individual’s have our own identity and you must know where you stand. You must fight your rights and you need to express yourself.

Visual Elements:

They used black and white screen. You can really feel that you are in the late 60’s and 70’s. The location is still there in the place where it happened. And the type of living is still emphasized the late 70’s. The props and costumes is also in the midst 70’s.

Conclusion:

I therefore conclude that the film is very interesting. It visualized the living and life of Filipino people during Marcos regime. We are very lucky to know what is happening during those days in our country. People is under the dictatorial managements of our late president Ferdinand Marcos. You can also see the negative effect and impact to our Filipino people during those times. We are now lucky than those who live during Marcos regime. We voice out what is in our mind and hearts in the leaders of our local and national government.