List of films about martial law under Ferdinand Marcos explained

This is a list of films that deals with topics about the 1972–1981 martial law under Ferdinand Marcos. Various filmmakers made films that directly deal with the political atmosphere, provide social commentary, or chronicle the life of Filipinos during the period. Most of the feature films circle on the struggles and human rights abuses during the oppressive state of the government at that time.

Feature films

YearTitleDirectorWriterNotes
1975Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (Manila in the Claws of Light)Lino BrockaEdgardo M. Reyes (original story); Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. (screenplay)[1] [2]
1976SakadaBehn CervantesOscar Miranda (story); Lualhati Bautista (screenplay)[3] [4]
Nunal sa TubigIshmael BernalJorge Arago
Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?Eddie RomeroEddie Romero and Roy Iglesias
InsiangLino BrockaMario O'Hara (story); Mario O'Hara and Lamberto E. Antonio (screenplay)[5] [6]
1980Manila By NightIshmael BernalIshmael Bernal and Ricardo Lee
1981KisapmataMike de LeonQuijano de Manila (story); Mike de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio (screenplay)[7]
1982Batch '81 (Alpha Kappa Omega)Mike de LeonMike de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio
RelasyonIshmael Bernal Ricardo Lee and Raquel Villavicencio
1983OliverNick DeocampoNick Deocampo[8] [9] [10]
1984Lino BrockaJose F. Lacaba and Jose Carreon (story); Jose F. Lacaba (screenplay)
Sister Stella L.Mike de LeonMike de Leon, Jose F. Lacaba and Jose Almojeula[11]
1985Scorpio NightsPeque GallagaRosauro Q. de la Cruz[12]
1986Bagong HariMario O'HaraFrank Rivera
Paano Kita MalilimutanVittorio Romero[13]
1988Sa Dulo ng BarilJerry O. TirazonaJerry O. Tirazona[14]
A Dangerous LifeRobert MarkowitzDavid Williamson
1989Fight for UsLino BrockaJose F. Lacaba
1995EskapoChito RoñoRoy Iglesias and Jose F. Lacaba[15]
2000Pangarap ng PusoMario O'HaraRey de Castro and Mario O'Hara
2001Batang West SideLav DiazLav Diaz[16]
2002Dekada '70Chito RoñoLualhati Bautista
2004Evolution of a Filipino Family (Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino)Lav DiazLav Diaz[17]
2006Batas MilitarJess Lapid Jr.Jess Lapid Jr. and Henry Nadong (story); Henry Nadong (screenplay)
2007PisayKanakan Balintagos (Auraeus Solito)Henry Grajeda[18] [19] [20]
2009Dukot (Desaparecidos) Joel LamanganBonifacio Ilagan
2010MuliAdolfo Alix Jr.Jerry Gracio[21] [22]
SigwaJoel LamanganBonifacio Ilagan
2011Ka OryangSari Lluch DalenaSari Lluch Dalena and Keith Sicat[23] [24]
2012AparisyonIsabel Sandoval (credited as Vincent Sandoval)Isabel Sandoval and Jerry Gracio (story); Isabel Sandoval (screenplay)[25] [26]
2013Bukas na Lang Sapagka't Gabi NaJet LeycoJet Leyco and Norman Wilwayco[27]
Barber's Tales (Mga Kuwentong Barbero)Jun LanaPeter Ong Lim, Elmer Gatchalian, Benedict Mique and Jun Lana (story); Jun Lana (screenplay)
Mga Anino ng KahaponAlvin YapanAlvin Yapan[28] [29]
BurgosJoel LamanganRicardo Lee[30] [31]
2014Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon Lav DiazLav Diaz[32]
2016Kusina Cenon Palomares and David CorpuzCenon Palomares[33]
2017RespetoTreb MonterasTreb Monteras and Njel de Mesa[34]
2018Citizen JakeMike de LeonMike de Leon, Noel Pascual and Atom Araullo[35]
Ang Panahon ng Halimaw (Season of the Devil)Lav DiazLav Diaz[36]
MLBenedict Mique Jr.Benedict Mique Jr.
LiwayKip OebandaKip Oebanda and Zig Dulay
2021Katips Vincent TañadaVincent Tañada
2022Maid in MalacañangDarryl YapDarryl Yap
2023Oras de Peligro Joel LamanganJoel Lamangan
Ako si Ninoy Vincent TañadaVincent Tañada
2024EDJOPKatski FloresKatski Flores

Documentary films

This includes documentary films and docudramas.

YearTitleDirectorNotes
1983SignosMike de Leon
1986Marcos: A Malignant SpiritRolly Reyes
1987Revolutions Happen Like Refrains in a SongNick Deocampo[37] [38]
EDJOPJoe Cuaresma[39]
Beyond The Walls of PrisonLito Tiongson
1988Nettie Wild
1994Why Is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow?Kidlat Tahimik[40]
1997Batas MilitarJon Red and Jeannette Ifurung[41] [42]
2003ImeldaRamona Diaz[43] [44]
2009The Last Journey of Ninoy Jun Reyes
20121081Kara Davidproduction by GMA News TV for the 40th Anniversary of Martial Law Declaration, hosted by Kara David[45]
Lest We Forget: Martial Law and its victimsEd Lingaoproduction of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism[46]
2013The Guerilla Is A PoetSari Lluch Dalena and Kiri Lluch Dalena[47] [48]
2015Portraits of Mosquito PressJ Luis Burgos[49] [50]
Dahling NickSari Lluch Dalena[51]
2016Forbidden MemoryTeng Mangansakan[52] [53]
2017AlaalaAdolfo Alix Jr.Produced by GMA Network[54]
History of the UndergroundSari Lluch Dalena and Keith Sicat
2019The Kingmaker[55] Lauren GreenfieldU.S./Danish Production; Greenwich Entertainment
202211,103Mike Alcazaren and Jeanette Ifurung

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 'No movie about it'? Here's a list of martial law-related films . Inquirer. November 20, 2016 . Yuji Vincent . Gonzales.
  2. Web site: List of Martial Law Related Films. CIIT College of Arts and Technology.
  3. News: Not a list of Martial Law movies . GMA News. September 21, 2012.
  4. News: Five films Imelda shouldn't have let you see. GMA Network. November 15, 2012.
  5. News: Lino Brocka's restored 'Insiang' to open World Premieres Film Fest. GMA Network. June 22, 2015.
  6. News: Sex as a weapon: Revisiting Lino Brocka's 'Insiang,' 40 years later. CNN Philippines. September 27, 2016. September 10, 2017. October 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161021134923/http://cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/film/2016/09/27/insiang-revisited.html. dead.
  7. News: Martial Law Movies. December 2016 . Martial Law Movies.
  8. News: Remembering the Second Golden Age of Philippine cinema. CNN Philippines. September 23, 2016. December 5, 2016. January 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170128074357/http://cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/film/2016/09/21/second-golden-age-survey.html. dead.
  9. Web site: History of Philippine Cinema. aenet.org.
  10. Ph.D. . Diaz . Robert G. . 2007 . Reparative Acts: Redress and the Politics of Queer Undoing in Contemporary Asian/America . University of New York.
  11. News: That thingy called Martial Law. May 11, 2016. CNN Philippines. December 4, 2016. October 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161022115449/http://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/politics/2016/05/11/martial-law-works.html. dead.
  12. News: Film as history: Recollections & lessons. July 6, 2012. The Philippine Star.
  13. News: Red. Isah V.. Who wants FVR's P10M prize?. December 7, 2022. Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp.. January 6, 1996. 32B. ...a made-for-TV movie [Romero] directed for the relaunch of ABS-CBN in 1986..
  14. News: Diaz. Lav. Lav Diaz. Isang oryentasyon. May 3, 2019. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. August 21, 1988. Filipino. 1972, taon ng pagpataw ng kasumpa-sumpang Batas Militar... ang panahon ng kuwento..
  15. Web site: Directors pick must-see martial law movies for Du30. Inquirer. November 23, 2016.
  16. Web site: Batang West Side: Crime, love, guilt, diaspora — a cinematic mural . Manunuri.com.
  17. Web site: Review: 'Evolution of a Filipino Family'. Variety. September 28, 2004.
  18. Web site: Pisay (2007). Internet Movie Database.
  19. Web site: Fast Facts: Philippine Science High School. September 6, 2014. Rappler.
  20. News: 'Tribu' is Cinemalaya 2007 best film. GMA News. July 31, 2007.
  21. Web site: Muli (2010). Internet Movie Database.
  22. Web site: A modern fairy tale . September 22, 2010. The Philippine Star.
  23. News: Martial law film bags four awards from Cinema One. Inquirer. November 15, 2011.
  24. News: Stunning horror drama set in martial law years. November 15, 2011. The Philippine Star.
  25. Web site: Apparition (Aparisyon). October 7, 2012. Hollywood Reporter.
  26. Erica Gonzales, "Director Isabel Sandoval Wants to Shed Light on Invisible Women", February 24, 2021, Harper's Bazaar
  27. Web site: 'Bukas Na Lang Sapagka't Gabi Na:' The art of rebellion. November 16, 2013. Rappler.
  28. Web site: Movie review: 'Mga Anino ng Kahapon' is a realistic look at schizophrenia. January 5, 2014 . GMA Network.
  29. Web site: Love conquers schizophrenia. December 21, 2013 . Manila Times.
  30. Web site: Lorna Tolentino leads powerhouse cast of advocacy film 'Burgos: A Mother's Story'. April 22, 2013 . Interaksyon.
  31. Web site: 'Burgos': A film with a deep back story. August 10, 2013 . Rappler.
  32. Web site: A conversation with the great Lav Diaz. September 6, 2014. The Philippine Star.
  33. Web site: Judy Ann reveals even more depth in Cinemalaya's Kusina. August 3, 2016. Philippine Entertainment Portal.
  34. Web site: Pinoy hiphop film "Respeto" wins Best Film in Cinemalaya 2017. August 14, 2017. Philstar.
  35. Web site: 'Citizen Jake': a sociology of Filipino society . March 18, 2018. Inquirer.
  36. News: 'Ang Panahon ng Halimaw' review: A call to arms. Cruz. Oggs. May 30, 2018. Rappler. June 2, 2018. en.
  37. Book: De Ocampo, Nick . 1994 . From revolution to revolution : the documentary movement in the Philippines . Documentary Box . 15 .
  38. Web site: From Revolution to Revolution: The Documentary Movement in the Philippines. Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival.
  39. Web site:
    1. NeverForget: CCP Art House Cinema screens 4 martial law films for free online
    . PhilStarLife.
  40. Web site: Essay Film Festival: Why Is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow (Bakit Dilaw Ang Kulay ng Bahaghari). Institute for Contemporary Arts.
  41. Web site: A glimpse of Martial Law rule in documentary 'Batas Militar'. ABS-CBN . November 21, 2016.
  42. Web site: 'Batas Militar' and 'Dead Aim'. Inquirer . February 27, 2016.
  43. News: 'Imelda' documentary by Ramona Diaz airs on GMA News TV. GMA News Online. GMA Network Inc.. October 1, 2014.
  44. Web site: Imelda(2003) . Internet Movie Database.
  45. News: Remembering Proclamation '1081', a GMA News TV Special . GMA News . September 3, 2012.
  46. Web site: Lest We Forget: Martial Law and its victims. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
  47. News: Film on Filipino revolutionary wins four awards. The Philippine Star.
  48. Web site: Movie Review:Guerilla is a Poet, A Lyrical Commentary on Jose Maria Sison's Memory. Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 23, 2013.
  49. Web site: Filmmakers mull next move after alleged harassment by QCPD. Interaksyon. March 6, 2015.
  50. Web site: Portraits of Mosquito Press. Freedom Film Festival. March 6, 2015.
  51. Web site: Seeing Everything (Panoptika) in Cinemalaya 2016. Cinemalaya Foundation.
  52. News: Davao-based director's docu gets Cinema One Originals nod . . March 4, 2016 . May 24, 2016 . April 8, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160408143603/http://mindanaotimes.net/davao-based-directors-docu-gets-cinema-one-originals-nod/ . dead .
  53. Web site: 1974 Malisbong Massacre memorialized in "Forbidden Memory" film . MindaNews . November 20, 2016.
  54. Web site: Alden at Rocco, ipakikita ang pait ng batas militar sa mini-series na 'Alaala' . GMA . August 17, 2017.
  55. Web site: Teachers, elders urged to tell the truth about martial law to young people . Yang . Angelica . January 30, 2020 . GMA News Online . en-US . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200130081204/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/724097/teachers-elders-urged-to-tell-the-truth-about-martial-law-to-young-people/story/ . January 30, 2020 . January 30, 2020.