Jermaine Rae A.

Dimayacyac 071166
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Ora Pro Nobis Dekada 70

Compared with the previous films, the films Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us) and Dekada 70 are more nationalistic with their theme. These films show the real thing thats happening in the society. Hence, they are not just an escape to reality but also a hope for every Filipino that experiences suffering and injustice from our government. The films were not made just for the viewers entertainment but there is also social awareness integrated. 2With this reason, I think the level of film making has been raised. However, these films still manifested some traits/flaws of previous Filipino films but this time, the approach is different. For example, in the previous non-nationalistic films, the drama scenes were more of their personal lives and their struggle to be rich. Whereas, in Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us) and Dekada 70, the drama scenes were because of the oppression and suffering they felt towards the government. Another trait or flaw present in the films but in a different light is digression. The digressions seen in Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us) and Dekada 70 were not that much to the extent that the film is like a concert already as seen in the previous non-nationalistic films particularly with Sharon Cunetas films. The digressions in Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us) and Dekada 70 were about the society and whats happening in the country. Some of the songs are the national anthem or some were about the oppression in their society. For example, the part where there is a group of people singing about the incident that was told by one of the victims (Pen Medina). The song was like Paalam na, paalam na ang awit ng langay langayan Again, this might just be a small part of the movie but having this brings us back to the traits or so-called flaws of the Filipino films. Perhaps, this trait was still given a moment in this film for the viewers entertainment or to make the viewers feel their passion for our country. Also, there is still the tendency for overt representation. Like in the film Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us), the poor people are overtly represented. They are presented as people from a small barrio far from the city far from where they thought there is justice and freedom. Also, they are always the victims of the Ora Pro Nobis so they are the ones who get killed. In Dekada 70, the rebels like (Piolo Pascual) were really presented as poor and oppressed. Furthermore, the dialogue of the actors are very striking that sometimes its as if they are doing a Balagtasan. An example would be the part when Komander Kontra (Bembol Roco) was about to rape Esper (Gina Alajar). Komander Kontra has this line that says, Buksan mo ang iyong isipan, kasamahang Esperanza. Hayaang pumasok ang liwanag . Huwag kang magpagamit sa kampo ng diliman just to express the point of asking where the rebels are. Last is the emphasis on the centrality of the star. This is the only trait that I think, was not included in this film. Perhaps, because of the films aim to be nationalistic. So, the characters in this film do not really portray the character that people see in them in real life. Lets say, Philip Salvador, he is not really a former priest or an activist but he portrayed the said character in the film; or, Piolo Pascual as activist. 4With this reason, I think the actors improved in their portrayal of their roles because these roles are very different from their personality and it became a challenge to them to improve their acting skills. Since I think the movies Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us) and Dekada 70 are higher in the level of film making compared to previous films, these films also affected me more. The dramatic scenes came from something deep. The digression adds up to the feeling of compassion for the country. The overt representation also adds up to the whole idea of oppression by the government.
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Also, the actors portrayal of their roles improved. 6With all these reasons, I say that these films are better.