‘Oras de Peligro’, a Philippine historical-drama set during the 1989 EDSA People Power Revolution, is a direct counter to the pro-Marcos film ‘Martyr or Murderer’, as explained by the film’s director, Joel Lamangan, during its second block screening at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Film Center, Feb. 24.
Lamangan and the producers of the movie want to correct the views and beliefs about the EDSA Revolution while preventing the disinformation and misinformation about the country’s history.
Dir. Joel Lamangan during the open forum held after the screening of Oras de Peligro (C. Enriquez).
“Ang nag-udyok talaga sa amin ay upang gumawa ng mga pelikulang sasagot sa mga pelikulang gagawin ng kabila na nililinis ang pangalan nila. Tinatanggal ang kasaysayan, ginagawang maganda ang mga pangalan nila [Marcoses] kaya sila nasa Malacanang,” said Lamangan.
Oras de Peligro revolves around a family who must deal with their grief after one of their own is murdered during the last four days before the revolution took place.
The director also added that people should be aware that only a select few benefit from ‘Martyr or Murderer’ while ‘Oras de Peligro’ prioritizes the majority’s interests.
After the screening, an open forum was conducted with Lamangan, the producers, writers, artists of the film, and audience members.
Atty. Howie Calleja of Bagong Siklab Productions shared that Philippine history needs to continuously be told as it provides a way to counter the spread of disinformation.
“Ngayon pong 2023, nakikita na po natin ang mga fake news, ang disinformation, ang mga kasinungalingan kaya kailangan na po nating tumayo ulit. […] We have to fight back,” Calleja said.
Nila Aguilar, a prisoner in Bicutan during the EDSA Revolution and one of the audience members, shared that she went underground for 13 years and expressed her gratitude that this movie was made possible.
“This is the best work I’ve seen in years,” Aguilar said.
Kyle Salgado, spokesperson of Bagong Alyansa-Southern Tagalog, hoped that this movie will become an eye opener for the masses—understanding that the movie depicts the narrative of truth.
Kyle Salgado shares his sentiments about the film (C. Enriquez).
“Actually nakakaiyak ‘yung movie bagamat hindi naman din ako saksi pero naramdaman ko ‘yung emotions ng characters at maigting na paglaban at ganon ako nakaka-relate,” Salgado said when asked what he felt about the film.
The block screening event open for everyone was mostly attended by invited Martial Law Activists, various national democratic groups, and film enthusiasts.
Oras de Peligro is available to watch in local cinemas starting March 1, alongside Darryl Yap’s ‘Martyr or Murderer’, a movie from Sen. Imee Marcos’ point of view that recalls what happened to the Marcos family before the EDSA Revolution.
Article by: Win Sharm Cinco
