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HENERAL LUNA: A Critique by Justine Macachor, DFM1

The film that I have chosen to critique is the film entitled Heneral Luna (2015); directed by Jerrold Tong and starring John Arcilla, Mon Confiado, and Epy Quizon. Overall, as a film that addresses our country’s very potent history with the Americans, I really enjoyed watching it and do hope to see more local films with production value that meets this one’s, and with as much educational value as well. It’s not often you see a film like Heneral Luna, tackling historical events, achieve such massive box-office success.

Heneral Luna is a film surrounding one of Philippines History’s most brilliant soldiers, General Antonio Luna. The story is anchored on his life as the general who attempts to lead the Philippine Revolution against the American army in pursuit of freedom, amidst the raging disputes happening between his fellow countrymen.

Some elements that I appreciate from this film include the fact that it did not fail to miss out on any details regarding the oppression that we as Filipinos experienced at the setting of these historical events. The portrayal of the characters and their respective emotions felt raw and genuine, and they really made me feel immersed in the issues they were facing during the war against the Americans. Inasmuch as the sequence of events, I thought they were organized In such a way that effectively got the message of the film across to viewers. The setting and music exhibited the timeliness and accuracy of the events, as well as evoke in the audience the emotions it intended to evoke. I believe it truly did its job of rekindling a sense of nationalism within modern Filipino audiences.

Although the film had several high points, there are certain weaknesses I would like to point out; namely, that the film associates the principles of nationalism, patriotism and the like with such violent sentiments – wrath, resentment, vengefulness. These principles are shone in such a negative light (reasonably so, as the producers were simply trying to depict events of the country’s brutal past), that younger audiences may not be able to grasp the true meaning of pledging allegiance to one’s country. This being said, the weakness in this film is its failure to guide audiences of today’s generation of Filipinos how they can show their sense of nationalism without having to follow in Luna’s and our predecessors’ footsteps of ruthlessness and inclination to war.

“Negosyo o kalayaan? Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka!” This is one of Luna’s lines that stayed with me throughout the duration of the film. It is a reminder of his devotion to the revolution, but it is also evidence that points to the weakness I named previously. It exemplifies Filipino ethnocentricity and the reasoning that dominating other nations must come before our individual welfare. 

“May mas malaki tayong kalaban sa mga Amerikano–ang ating sarili." This is a line that speaks volumes as to how Filipino culture entails struggling to reach a unified goal due to our innate need to argue on the simplest of matters. This is what ultimately lead to the demise of the general himself – his arrogance and need to defy others in pursuit of the war. 

"Mas madali pang pagkasunduin ang langit at lupa kaysa dalawang Pilipino tungkol sa kahit na anong bagay." This is a line that shares the same train of thought as the last one, exhibiting the Filipino tendency to assert him or herself and dispute over matters that can benefit us as a nation.

“Malaking trabaho ang ipagkaisa ang bansang watak-watak." This line speaks of the evident pattern one can observe throughout Philippine History – that the country struggles to stay unified. It is apparent, even today, that Filipinos are divided in many aspects, and it’s going to take the drive of each individual citizen to achieve a real sense of unity.

"Walang naka-aangat sa batas...kahit pa president." I’d like to think that this line is a nod to our current president of the Philippines, as well as to the recurring phenomena of incompetent and amoral officials that the country has had to endure.