Dekada '70 (film)


Dekada '70 is a 2002 Filipino drama film released based on the acclaimed novel by Filipino author, Lualhati Bautista. The film was restored by the ABS-CBN Film Archive.

Plot

A middle-class Manila neighborhood is home to the Bartolome family. Couple Amanda Bartolome and Julián Bartolome Sr. are parents to sons Julian "Jules" Bartolome Jr., Isagani "Gani" Bartolome, Emmanuel "Em" Bartolome, Jason Bartolome and Benjamin "Bingo" Bartolome.

1965-1970

In 1965, as a young Gani was fighting with his friend while they were playing a game in the street, their mothers came by to stop the fighting and made them stay away from each other. In the streets of Manila, protests take place when the Philippines enters the Vietnam War. Five years later, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos wins his re-election bid as president. Julián stops Amanda from looking for a job despite Amanda trying to pursue it. At dinner time, Jules and Gani speak about the upcoming Junior-Senior Promenade. At the prom, Gani tries to grope his partner but she accidentally kicks him instead. The Bartolomes get stuck in traffic in the streets on the way home from the event due to a protest with effigy burning taking place near the Legislative Building.

1971

A protest takes place in the University of the Philippines wherein Jules with his best friend Willy became activists and joined a resistance movement. At the same time, Emmanuel begins writing illegal exposure and other kinds of banned literature. During the protests, the attendees sing the Philippine National Anthem, "Lupang Hinirang", with raised clenched fists and outnumbered the authorities but their efforts to make the authorities leave become futile and they retreat. Julián becomes furious when he discovers their activities, and he angrily explains to Jules and Willy about the consequences of their actions, while also revealing the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus including the enforced disappearance of the student leader Charlie del Rosario.
One one day, Gani reveals his plans to apply for a job in the US Navy to Julian but is overheard by Jules, who admonishes his actions as lack of patriotism for the Philippines. Gani furiously explains to him that working for the US government entitles one to a high salary with numerous benefits. Julián accepts the plan, thus making Gani the family's newest breadwinner. Sometime later, another protest depicts President Ferdinand Marcos acting as a lackey to Uncle Sam, and crucifying a Filipino. Bingo pulls down a flying kite and Amanda discovers that the kite is made out of an activist newspaper. Julián also discovers that Jules is an activist and he sneaks up to his room to check his rebellious pamphlets. He convinces that when Marcos was not yet a president in the past, the government signed a treaty between the United States, and the Philippines has no other choice but to recognize that treaty.

1972

Marcos declares martial law on nationwide television, as well as imposing nighttime curfews in order to round up anyone suspected of being a terrorist or communist to be imprisoned. The change of evens resulted in interrogations, tortures, and deaths. Gani accidentally impregnates his girlfriend Evelyn and her sleeping in Gani's room was discovered by Amanda. Two police cars escort the Bartolomes to Evelyn's house. At the house, Evelyn's father speaks to the Bartolome couple before blackmailing Gani into marrying her.
Days after the wedding, they have an argument for being the Bartolome's figure of shame. Jason shows his mother the report card wherein his grades lowered. But despite that, he convinces that during the first period, there was a high value of time. Jules came home late and confessed to his family that Willy had been tortured to death for staying past curfew. He later reveals his plan to travel to Bicol for an exposure/field trip to join the communist group NPA despite mother's opposition.

1973-1975

Evelyn gives birth to a baby girl wherein she and Gani stay together for a few days. Sometime later, Gani leaves for the United States via Subic Bay after his enlisting at the US Navy while Evelyn returned to her family. Emmanuel plans to Bataan for his research article writing and interview about the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant but Julián furiously opposes as the former is a possible target for roundup due to Martial Law and the presence of soldiers. However, Emmanuel continues his plan and leaves for Bataan the next day while the Bartolome family went to the beach two days later.
A year later, Jules brought a wounded friend home to have a bullet extracted from his leg, as bringing him to a hospital would arouse too much suspicion. A few days later, he began to hangout with Emmanuel but the following day, Jules left the house again realizing that he cannot stay there for long. Bingo celebrates his birthday with a party in the Bartolome household until night. After two months of not returning home, Jules was revealed to have been married to fellow NPA member Mara with a baby boy. On one night, the family burns Jules' anti-government pamphlets out of fear of being arrested by authorities outside their house compound, who turn out to be a harmless group of carolers.

1976-1978

A group of soldiers arrive at their house led by Jules' friend, who reveals himself to be an undercover government operative, for the search and arrest order. The next day, Amanda and Bingo release two of their own pet birds to fly away for their freedom, but on that very night, a phone call revealing of Jules' imprisonment startles Emmanuel. In the prison camp, Jules manages to survive torture methods ranging from electrocution and sleeping naked on an ice box in front of an electric fan. By Christmas Eve, Jason returns home late from caroling and he learns that there was no curfew, but he wants to have a date with his girlfriend, Bernadette on the next day. Amanda allows him to have a date with her anytime except Christmas Day.
The next year, Amanda discovers Jason missing, causing her and Julian to inquire of his whereabouts from many police stations. They learn that Jason was imprisoned for possession of marijuana but he was released for a few moments later, only to go missing once more. A friend reveals to Emmanuel about three police officers stabbing a bound young man before disposing of him in a garbage dump. Upon returning home, Emmanuel engaged in a private talk with Julian. They hear loud cries and realize that the young man Jason, causing Amanda to faint. During Jason's funeral, Gani returns from the United States and as he and the Bartolomes mourn, Bingo reveals that Bernadette wanted to introduce Jason to her parents during Christmas Day. Julián explains to Amanda of many deaths during Martial law. Amanda pays a visit to Jason's grave and convinces herself that it would be best for her to live without her own children or family as she thought that her children can die early. She reveals to Julián about her plans for their separation before heading to a stage rehearsal for activists. A few moments later, Bingo informs to his mother that Jules has recently been released, making Amanda abandon her plan. The Bartolomes travel to the prison camp to fetch Jules, whom they witness bidding his fellow inmates a sad farewell.
During the Batasang Pambansa Elections of 1978, a group of people parade on the city street in Manila causing a moderate traffic on the road. The Bartolomes join the activist group called Kilusad to overthrow the Marcos regime wherein Emmanuel leads the attendees in singing the National Anthem.

Epilogue

In 1983, the Bartolome family attend the wake of Ninoy Aquino at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City after his assassination. Amanda begins to join a large group of activists at the Post Office Building to overthrow the Marcos regime once and for all. The Marcos regime is peacefully overthrown in 1986 when Corazon Aquino was sworn into office as president.

Cast

;Gawad URIAN
;PMPC STAR Awards
;FAP/Luna Awards
;Gawad TANGLAW
;Young Critics Circle
;25th Catholic Mass Media Awards
;Cinema One's RAVE Awards
;Gawad Pasado
;CineManila International Film Festival