MGA DUWAG
Amidst all the Filipino films that were shown through the years a historical film left a question in the minds of the viewers , bayan o ang sarili? Heneral Luna broke the stereotypical image of what we thought of heroism, the usual hero dies in the hands of the enemy, but in Heneral Luna the hero dies in the hands of his comrades.

The setting was during the Spanish-American colonial era it is where the revolution to overthrow the colonizers started. The film showed a vast range of possibilities that could have happened during that time.

The production design and the casting were amazing all the elements worked well together in producing the film. The lighting was also brilliantly executed because there was a scene where the lighting was bright for Heneral Luna and dim lighting for Emilio Aguinaldo. The use of colour was also seen at the end of the film the colour red was dominantly shown. It was all over the place, the curtains were red, the soldiers were wearing red clothing even Emilio Aguinaldo was wearing something red, this symbolized betrayal.

The themes of the film are betrayal, justice and freedom. Antonio Luna depicted the theme of freedom because from the very start he wanted the Filipinos to be freed from the grasp of the colonizers but at the end he was betrayed by the one person he trusted and respected the most, the president. Emilio Aguinaldo represents betrayal because he betrayed his comrade and sold the country to the colonizers. Apolinario Mabini plays the role of justice because he looks into the matter of decision making without being affected by the other leader’s thoughts.

The mise-un-scene that was seen throughout the film was the Philippine flag, the first appearance of the flag was when Antonio Luna was talking and the flag behind him was new and glorious. The second appearance of the flag was near the end, the flag now old and full of holes and torns. Finally the last appearance of the flag was at the end of the film where a handful of people were talking about Antonio Luna’s death and bravery the flag behind them was dirty, broken and burned.

The paintings of Juan Luna are also a mise-un-scene that can be seen during the film namely, The Parisian Life and The Spoliarium. The Parisian Life represented the past where Juan and Antonio both lived in Paris for a while and it also showed how the two brothers were close. The Spoliarium was seen at the near end of the film wherein our hero was murdered and his body was dragged, imitates the painting of The Spoliarium which represents a fallen hero.

The historical film somewhat speaks of our society today not just the government but also the people living in the society. Which leaves us with the question: Bayan o ang sarili?