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My insights to the film The Act of Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer.

What I’d like to talk about first is the part where they used media or film as a way to instill to the young audience that the “communists” are bad despite the “communists” really being the victim here in this situation. It was even discussed and seen in the documentary that the veterans knew and also think to themselves the bad effects or the disadvantages of having this mindset but these disadvantages or rather the truth had to be pushed down for the sake of the youth not thinking badly about the so called military that helped save their country. It shows to me that, with the use of media people especially higher ups can bend truths and change the way people think about a certain place, group, etc. The use of media is also a way to instill supposed mentality or rules and turn a massive group of people against something. And in this case, the youth’s thoughts and mentality towards the communists. If media was used in these types of mentalities or to people who abuse their power then unfortunately average day to day people won’t really know what goes on behind closed doors until only then the find out later. The mentalities that I’ve noticed in this documentary are that the military’s views and voice will be the only one that’ll be followed despite them making huge mistakes as well. No matter the issues they have, their way comes first. It’s basically almost like a “do what you have to do” mindset, despite doing more harms way than good, that way of thinking will still be followed whatever it takes. It also says something about the way they handled people’s opinions too. And that is, to agree with the preferred opinion or you’ll be ridiculed.

[mbanzon]

Blog Entry 2: Maynila sa mga kuko ng liwanag: The dark sides of an ideal place

My first initial thoughts on this film is that I honestly think that the title of the film gives me a small glimpse on what this movie will be like. How? Because the title to me speaks reality or what goes on behind the scenes of Manila city. And that maybe, the city life of Manila city isn't always as promising as many people claim it to be. "Kuko ng Liwanag" in my view means to shed light to the dark or what's not seen by most. In this case shedding the light to Manila

As it turns out? It was actually portrayed in the film. And Manila was portrayed and viewed through the eyes of a person who isn't just looking for a missing person but a person who is also struggling to survive while he is at his mission.

I've taken note that since the film is set in 1975, these were the times just like how the film portrayed, where prices back then were of very cheap value or low price. But unfortunately even with cheap prices, many people not just in the province but also in Manila itself are still struggling to get their basic needs paid.

In my perspective, this movie is more than just a person going through the effort and the sacrifice to look for a missing person. It was Julio's journey and his time in Manila was the very part in the movie that was really worth noting or simply the main idea of the film.

In this film, Julio and majority of the characters in this film portray the real life struggles that a lot of people face not just in the film but in everyday life as well. Many people aim to work hard and many people aim to look for better opportunities elsewhere. But within that long process, the struggles that people face and the many ways to cope not just break us physically but it also takes a major toll on us mentally.

Many people out there strive hard and work for money in order to simply survive and there are those who work far in order to feed their families back at home, thus sacrificing both their mental and physical health.

The painful reality is shown in the film where if people have no money, whether you're in a different place or not. You wouldn't be able to survive. Thus there are some people who go through lengths in order to earn money for basic needs. And this was shown when Julio met a callboy somewhere in Manila and it was mentioned that his line of work has given him money in affording his food, clothes, apartment etc.

It may or may not be subtly portrayed in the film but from what I can see? I can also sense a feeling of homesickness and a struggle to adapt to the current environment. How? Because Julio initially settled for staying at his province but as soon as he heard that Ligaya had gone missing, that was when he took it upon himself to look for her despite his initial thoughts. And homesickness because he kept remembering his good times back in the province and although Ligaya was mostly in it, he was happy and content either way. And it wasn't just his struggles to earn money, to survive or to find Ligaya that took a toll on him mentally. But another factor was that he found difficulty in adapting to situations including the different ways on how people acted in front of him because the majority of his life was spent back at the province he lived in.

This also to me sheds light to the people that are working overseas, migrating etc. This although the times are different, shows us a glimpse of what people travelling are going through mentally and their possible struggles in order to get even. Including the fact where it takes time and a strong will in order to adapt to what they are seeing in front of them apart from what they were used to and or what they grew up with. This also sheds light to another harsh reality of workers with minimum wage and women being brought into prostitution.

Speaking of mental conditions, I can see in the film that Julio's mental health isn't just taking a toll on him but eventually consuming him completely. With everything that was happening around him, he has had his moments where he goes violent for a short moment before immediately realizing what he has done and felt guilty. But in the end of the film we realize that he had completely snapped upon the death of Ligaya.

With all this I can say that not all places are perfect and not all places are really viewed as the ideal place that they are. All places will have their advantages and disadvantages. And I personally think that people should be more aware of what happens behind the scenes and should also be exposed to the dark side of any place so that they wouldn't just be ready physically but they would also take the time to collect themselves and be ready mentally. And just because we show the bad side of any place doesn't mean we're shaming the said place or preventing people from gaining opportunities. But rather this is for people to truly think about their future choices and for people to be given the opportunity to think about possible what ifs as they go through another place they are unfamiliar with and to react better. And to also think and how to react upon meeting shady people. With awareness we know not to believe these people easily.

[mbanzon]

Blog Entry 1: Six degrees of separation from Lillia Cuntapay: Finding one's peace

In this movie, in my perspective at first, I genuinely thought it was a real documentary at first. Because it really looks like a biography of Lillia Cuntapay's life but as many scenes went by and as I keep noticing some odd details. I realized that this was actually a mockumentary but with her name playing as herself. But even then, it really says something about the lives of extras and how many in the film industry are not being appreciated nor recognized enough.

What struck me about the film was Lillia Cuntapay's optimistic and energetic attitude. Throughout that film you can tell how enthusiastic and determined she is in her work. Despite being a supporting actress or extra, she still gave it her all and did her best at doing what she loves. With that she became an inspiration to those who have the same position as she does especially the viewers watching behind the screen. Another was that despite things not happening her way, despite having her hopes down, despite having times where she was devastated, she still had a smile onto her face and she still had the same determination as the starting points of the film.

There were a lot of lessons and reality checks I had in watching the film especially since it feels like i'm not just viewing another person's life but I also feel like i'm walking a distance in their shoes. One of these would be, in every film setting or in a professional setting in general. there are those who'd get appreciated but there are those who are just as deserving but sadly are very underrated as mentioned above. It shows that the reality that, despite giving it their all, despite making a lot of sacrifices, there are these times when we feel like we're being left behind and that our work or the things that we do isn't being recognized as "good enough" sometimes the same result happens even though we strive harder.

But despite these hard times however I can say that, yes there are those who are underrated but that doesn't mean that they're completely hidden. It means that, although we can't really please everyone, although we can't always surpass everybody or the majority's expectations, there are those at the end of the day who stick around and appreciate our efforts. There are those whom we were able to inspire and help us see that what we're doing is truly going somewhere.

This point is more proven by the fact that at the end of the film, Lillia Cuntapay didn't exactly win like how she was hoping for but in the end when Rio Locsin got the award she took it upon herself to call Lillia Cuntapay on stage to share the award with her. Before Lillia Cuntapay was called on stage, Rio Locsin had mentioned that she doesn't get the recognition that she had always been deserving of, and that people like her are worth being mentioned and being brought to the light more often. Thus sharing her moment with Lillia Cuntapay. This just proves that, there will always be people out there who won't just accept you but to also appreciate you and to welcome you.

Another valuable lesson or reality check that I was able to get from the film was that awards aren't necessarily as great value as everybody thinks they are. It's there to give credit to your current work or standing but in reality it won't really define who you are in the long run. As it was said in the film? An award is like a report card. Because in my perspective, you may receive that kind of credit or standing at the current time but in the end if we're not being consistent there are definitely going to be some changes. With those changes it''ll always be up to us if we want to stop or to keep going and to do better. Who we are can always change in the future. Because to me the truly notable thing that more people should be seeing is the effort and the consistency of the work done at hand. Lets not forget the heart and the character that comes with it too

Which is exactly what Lillia Cuntapay has shown in the film, sure she may have her hopes down but the important thing is that because she is doing what she loves she was able to move on from these hardships. And it also teaches the audience that, these awards don't really mean anything because the important thing is that we remain true to our character, or if we want changes we'll change the way we end up having a better version of ourselves and most importantly, is that we are doing the things that we truly love.

At the end of the day in my perspective it does feel good to be seen but it's much better to be recognized, welcomed, loved, appreciated and to be surrounded by those who truly care about you. It's safe to say that despite the many judgements and changes that the world may go through, you'll be able to get through all of these challenges because you have genuine people by your side who would always inspire you and give you the strength to move forward. When these people are by our side? We'll always be able to find a place where we feel at peace and somewhere we feel like we belong to