Dekada '70 (film)

Dekada '70 (lit. 'The ’70s') is a 2002 Filipino historical drama film directed by Chito S. Roño from a story and screenplay written by Lualhati Bautista, based on her 1983 novel of the same name.^[1] Set in the Philippines during the period of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos, the film follows the struggles of the middle-class Bartolome family spanning several years. It stars Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon as parents raising five sons amidst the tense political background. Their sons are played by Piolo Pascual, Carlos Agassi, Marvin Agustin, Danilo Barrios, and John Wayne Sace.

Produced and distributed by Star Cinema upon its initial premiere at the 28th Metro Manila Film Festival, the film is now restored in high-definition by the ABS-CBN Film Archives and Central Digital Lab, and on January 1, 2024, was released on the distributing company's YouTube channel.

Incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is re-elected for a second term, amidst anti-war protests during the Vietnam War. At dinner, brothers Julian "Jules" Bartolome Jr. and Isagani "Gani" Bartolome, speak about the upcoming Junior-Senior Prom. Amanda, the mother of five children (including Jules & Gani) of the middle-class Bartolome family residing in Manila, finds a new advertising job, but her husband, Julián Bartolome, Sr, infuriatingly opposes her decision. As they leave for home at night after a prom, the Bartolomes get stuck in traffic due to a protest with effigy burning near the Legislative Building.

In 1971, Jules and his best friend Willy, participate in the student protest at the University of the Philippines. At the same time, Emmanuel "Em" Bartolome begins writing illegal exposés and other kinds of banned literature. Julián becomes furious when he discovers Jules and Willy's involvement, angrily explaining the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and the disappearance of student leader Charlie del Rosario.

Gani discloses his intention to apply for a position in the United States Navy, arguing that employment with the US government offers a substantial salary and numerous benefits. Despite Jules furiously criticizing his brother for a perceived lack of patriotism, Julián endorses the idea. Later, amidst another protest against Marcos, the youngest sibling, Benjamin "Bingo" Bartolome, retrieves a fallen kite, which Amanda discovers to be crafted from pages of the Communist newspaper Ang Bayan . Julián learns of Jules' activism when he stumbles upon their insurgent leaflets.

Marcos declares Martial law in 1972. Civilians were ordered to remove any form of political slogans opposing Marcos under fear of imprisonment of anyone suspected to be a sympathizer of Communism. Gani accidentally impregnates his girlfriend, Evelyn, and much to her initial distress, was forced by her father into marrying her. The family learns of the death of Jules' best friend Willy by the hands of Metrocom for staying up past the curfew; Jules later reveals his plan to travel to Bicol and join the New People's Army (NPA) despite his mother's opposition.

In the mid-70's, Gani leaves for the United States, and Evelyn, after giving birth to a girl, also leaves the Bartolome's for her parents. Em also leaves for the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to write an article about the protesters there. Jules, after leaving for a year, briefly returns home to treat his friend, René, of his injuries to avoid the police before leaving once more. During the Christmas season, Jules calls Amanda over after two months of not returning, warning that the NPA has been infiltrated, and requests that all of his anti-government pamphlets and Em's written articles be destroyed to save his family from possible persecution. As they do so, they are met by a large group of carolers. The Bartolome residence later falls into a raid by Metrocom, having been tipped off by René, but the family successfully lie to the authorities.

However, the family received a call notifying that Jules was caught and imprisoned. Motivated by her son's experience of torture upon visiting him, Amanda sends an appeal to a non-governmental organization that reaches out families of victims of human rights abuse. After family and friends celebrate Christmas with Jules in prison, Amanda and Julián discover that their younger son, Jason, didn't return home, and was only discovered by Em at the morgue that he was brutally murdered after he was initially imprisoned for a drug charge. Jules, aware of Jason's death, attends his younger brother's wake while escorted by the police, and breaks down in tears.

Frustrated by her helplessness and lack of self-worth, she threatens to separate from Julian as they blame one another for Jason's death. However, before she could do so, Bingo notifies his mother that Jules is released from prison. The family set up an reunion dinner with Jules' new wife, Mara, Gani's wife Evelyn, and their respective children also in attendance. Jules announces he will be returning to the revolution and Julián wishes him well. As they depart, Julián and Amanda tearfully reconcile, before they later attend a play about the revolution written by Em as they sing the national anthem.

In 1983, politician Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. The Bartolome family attends his wake at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City and the film ends as Amanda delivers her monologue to the viewers while she joins with a large group of activists at the Post Office Building during the People Power Revolution.

• Vilma Santos as Amanda Bartolome - a mother of the Bartolomes with five young sons and wife of Julián Bartolome Sr.
• Christopher de Leon as Julián Bartolome, Sr. - the head of the patriarchal Bartolome family and husband of Amanda Bartolome.
• Piolo Pascual as Julian "Jules" Bartolome Jr. - the first son of the Bartolomes. Jericho Rosales was the first choice to play Jules but had to drop out of the role in order to focus on Pangako Sa 'Yo.
• Carlos Agassi as Isagani "Gani" Bartolome - the second child of the Bartolomes, who works in the United States Navy to provide for his family, despite Jules' opposition.
• Marvin Agustin as Emmanuel "Em" Bartolome - the third child of the Bartolomes who writes banned literature whilst maintaining a mischievous, carefree outward personality.
• Danilo Barrios as Jason Bartolome - the fourth child of the Bartolomes.
• John Wayne Sace as Benjamin "Bingo" Bartolome - the fifth child and youngest of all the five brothers.
• Kris Aquino – a student leader.
• Ana Capri as Mara - the wife of Jules Bartolome, and an NPA fighter.
• Dimples Romana as Evelyn - the girlfriend and later wife of Isagani Bartolome.
• Jhong Hilario as Willy - Jules' best friend and activist. He was killed by torturers in 1972.
• Carlo Muñoz as René - Jules' comrade who is revealed to be Metrocom's informant.
• Tirso Cruz III as Evelyn's father - an unnamed character who pressures Gani and the Bartolome family into a shotgun wedding after hearing of his daughter's stay with the former.
• Orestes Ojeda as Dr. Rodrigo.
• Marianne de la Riva as Evelyn's mother - an unnamed character who is shown sobbing after Evelyn's return to the household, and is a witness to the shotgun wedding by the unnamed father of Evelyn.
• Manjo del Mundo as Metrocom Police
• Cacai Bautista as a rallyist (uncredited)

FAP/Luna Awards

• Best Actress – Vilma Santos
• Best Supporting Actor – Piolo Pascual
• Best Production Design

Gawad TANGLAW

• Best Film
• Best Director – Chito Roño
• Best Actress – Vilma Santos
• Best Actor – Christopher de Leon
• Best Supporting Actor – Piolo Pascual

Young Critics Circle

• Best Film
• Best Director – Chito Roño
• Best Screenplay – Lualhati Bautista
• Best Performers – Vilma Santos and Piolo Pascual
• Best Sound

25th Catholic Mass Media Awards

• Best Film

Cinema One's RAVE Awards

• Best Film
• Best Performance – Vilma Santos

Gawad Pasado

• Best Film
• Best Director – Chito Roño
• Best Screenplay – Lualhati Bautista
• Best Actress – Vilma Santos
• Best Actor – Christopher de Leon
• Best Supporting Actor – Piolo Pascual

CineManila International Film Festival

• Best Actress – Vilma Santos
• Netpack Film Awardee – Dekada '70

• Dekada '70 at IMDb

• 2002 films
• Star Cinema drama films
• Philippine historical drama films
• 2000s historical drama films
• Filipino-language films
• Films set in the 1970s
• 1970s in the Philippines
• Films about Filipino families
• Films based on Philippine novels
• Films directed by Chito S. Roño
• Films with screenplays by Lualhati Bautista
• Films scored by Nonong Buencamino
• Films about the Ferdinand Marcos presidency
• Star Cinema films
• 2002 drama films

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