Dekada 70 Movie Review

Summary

Dekada70 Movie Review

Bartolome family has their blissful and normal life before entering the 70s. The
head of the family, Julian Bartolome together with his wife Amanda, give their
children, who are all boys, their right to express themselves. It just shows how
they love their sons. The family belongs to the middle-class, Amanda is the only
woman, and they have five sons. However, they lives have changed when the
new president have declared the martial law. Amanda and Julian have their own
dilemmas while at it. They usually fight because Amanda, as a woman, wanted to
achieve other things rather than being just a housewife, while Julian just want her
to become the latter. She is torn between the laws back then and her
responsibilities as being the mother and wife. Due to this upbringing front
(martial law), Jules, the eldest son began to be exposed in such rebellious acts.
He first hid it from his family, but still, they have found out what he has been
doing because of the unruly papers Amanda saw. Jules decision on joining the
NPA is approved by his parents, however, they still fear of losing him. Jules and
his younger brother (and the third son), Emmanuel, are partners in fighting the
government because Emmanuel writes what Jules dictates. The second son,
Isagani became a member of the navy. Jules fought over Isagani being one of the
US Navy since he obviously doesnt like it; Jules is a nationalistic person.
However, Gani still managed to become one. But before that, he made his
mistake of getting his girlfriend pregnant and suddenly became married. Yet,
their marriage did not work because his wife has something to accomplish with
her life. The fourth son is Jason, Julians favorite. Jason is a typical teenager and
enjoys life too much. He is a happy-go-lucky child. He brings cheers to the family
especially when struggles come. But Jason died, not by his witty acts, but
because the police killed him, unjustified. And the fifth son is Benjamin. He is
merely in the middle of his teenage years back then and still doesnt have a
broad understanding about what is happening around him.

Five Philippine Constitutional Laws Present in the Movie

Article II Section 14: The State recognizes the role of women in nation building,
and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

Article III Section 1: No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property

without due process of law, nor shall any person shall be denied to equal
protection of the laws.
Article III Section 4: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of
expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and
petition the government for redress of grievances.

Article III Section 12 (2) : No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any
other means which vitiate the free will shall be used against him. Secret
detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention are
prohibited.

Article III Section 18 (1): No person shall be detained solely by reason of his
political beliefs and aspirations.

Violations of the Laws

Julian doesnt want Amanda to work. Julian uses his authority by not letting
Amanda work and just stay at home, without her having self-achievement. Julian
doesnt give Amanda her right and she is being discriminated by Julian, because
he thinks he is superior and what he does, which is working, is enough for their
family. Though Amanda just wants her self-fulfillment, Julian still doesnt want her
to work.

Jason was put into prison and the reason is that he possessed drugs illegally.
Jason shouldnt be put in jail instantly, nor killed, because he still doesnt get his
right to have due process of law to prove that he really does such acts like what
the police said about him.

Jules friend, Willy, was killed because hes a member of the Kapatiran, their
association against the government. Jules was also brought to prison because of
the same reason. Both of them were deprived from their rights.

Jules was totally tortured and brought to such places where he was detained. He
was being forced to say things against himself and it is not lawful.

Jules was put into jail because of his political beliefs, and the constitution doesnt
allow that.

Five Most Unforgettable Scenes

Bartolome familys social standing and their way of living created a big impact on
me because I feel like its already an ideal, happy family. I like the fact that
everyone in the family is given their right to express themselves.

When Willy, the friend of Jules, is being killed, I almost choked when I saw what
kind of brutality the government had back then. They did not even care about
Willys dignity and also the difficulties his family would be facing. The one who
killed Willy should also be punished.
Jules suddenly knocked into their house together with his friend, Domeng, who
was injured. The Bartolome family helped them but towards the end, he was just
an operative of the government and exposed Jules involvement in the NPA.

Amanda and Julians arguments about their marriage and relationship. Actually, it
made me cry because Amanda was shouting and brawling about herself and
about what she wants. I was also affected by how Julian reacted on the decision
of Amanda in the end.

The scenario that really affected me so much is when Jason went missing. I
already became worried at first when Amanda and Julian were looking for Jason at
the precincts. I imagined my parents looking for me, too and it just really made
my tears flow. The best scene that really touched my emotions is when Julian was
crying and punching the wall because he just lost his favorite son. While he was
shouting, Pinatay nila ang anak ko!, my eyes certainly became a waterfall.

Reflection

I really cant imagine myself and my family facing the same problems that the
Bartolome family faced back in the movie. I think I cannot handle such situations
like that. If I will be in the situation of Amanda, I think that I cannot stand every
word Julian will be saying to me. Amanda is torn between the problems in the
country, her family, her sons and her husband. I do salute her for being strong. As
for being a child, into that kind of situation, I think that it isnt very good to see
what the government has been doing back then those bloodshed, wars and
tears.

Suddenly, I realized how lucky I am that I dont have to face those problems
anymore. But I am really hoping that what happened in the martial law regime
back then will never happen again in the future because I simply wont know
what to do when the time comes.

Martial law really gives so much power to the government and they exercise
much of their police power. There is no equality, no respect, no human dignity,
and no such things as rights. Everything that the government will do, will
eventually become all the laws. It is merely not fair for all of us. In Martial Law,
everyone needs to be very vigilant since unexpected things might happen and
your good fate might turn into hell. Theres no blame on the president, though.