Heneral Luna

Note: This is my extended review of the Heneral Luna film. This was originally part of my essay for an MA in Literature class which I also posted in this blog. I could not cover everything I needed to say about the film because the essay had a limit.
Photos are screenshots from the film taken from various sources.

Heneral Luna is a 2015 historical biopic film which covers the beginning of the second phase of the Philippine Revolution until Luna's assassination on June 5, 1899. Antonio Luna at this period in history was the Supreme Chief of the Army under the First Philippine Republic. The story is told from the point of view of the fictional character, the young journalist Joven Hernando, who is shown interviewing Luna at the start of the film.

At the outset, Luna's position in the dirty politics of Emilio Aguinaldo's cabinet is clear. He proposed to attack the American forces while they are still weak. He opposed the idea of Felipe Buencamino and Pedro Paterno to support the occupation, claiming that the Americans had good intentions. President Aguinaldo was also partial to the Americans, confident that they would help overthrow the Spanish. The debate was settled however when reports of an attack by Americans against Filipino troops reached the cabinet. It was Luna's task to organize campaigns against the Americans.

As expected from the rifts already present in the fledgling Philippine government, Luna's campaigns were not unchallenged. Often, the problems arise from fellow Filipino soldiers who cling to their factions. When the Kawit Battalion was ordered by Luna to send reinforcements, its commander Capt. Pedro Janolino refused to obey orders claiming that it did not come from Aguinaldo himself. Luna was also refused help for the same reason by Gen. Tomas Mascardo.

Luna is short-tempered and is not averse to using punishment and threats by reading Artikulo Uno (which states that whoever refuses to follow the general's orders will be executed without trial). This earned him the wrath of the other soldiers and cabinet members, but his skills are admired by his subordinates and even the American generals Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Elwell Otis. His assassination was set up by offended soldiers led by Janolino in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. He was supposedly summoned by Aguinaldo to discuss the new cabinet. Most of Luna's officers were later arrested or executed.

Luna confronts Janolino who refused to send reinforcements

Apolinario Mabini (left) and Emilio Aguinaldo (right) in a cabinet meeting

At first glance, the movie seems to be sympathetic towards Luna despite his bad temper and colorful language. The portrayal of Luna is similar to the antihero archetype that lacks conventional heroic characteristics. Several historical films and television series covering the Philippine Revolution have been shown in the past. Luna is a slightly different choice of a lead character however from Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo who are usually portrayed as noble. Luna's character is respected by some yet feared and resented by those he had humiliated. Some of the antiheroes in popular culture are Kratos (God of War video game series), Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass anime series), Severus Snape (Harry Potter series), and Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean series). Antiheroes usually have qualities often attributed to villains but their selfish and violent nature is often tempered by a tragic or lonely past or the present love interest. These antiheroes often use unconventional means to achieve their goals---notwithstanding if the said goals are for good or bad. In Luna's case, his past was not explored fully (more of this will be explained below) but his bad boy nature was balanced by his female counterpart Isabel. She is a fictional character combining all of Luna's real love interests.

I think I need not mention that most of the antiheroes I've given as examples have a lot of fans. I cannot give a satisfactory explanation why this is so but from what I have seen and read, most of these antiheroes appear more human than the typical benign heroes. They are human because like most of us, they are prone to mistakes and misjudgments. The ideal hero who does not make mistakes, has no dark past, and only has in mind the welfare of everyone appears fake to me. The ideal hero need not explain his motives as well because the audience will readily understand that his actions are dictated by what is agreed by everyone as good, honest and courageous. Therefore they do not have the depth that the antiheroes have.

One incident in the film wherein he insulted Capt. Pedro Janolino in front of his soldiers for failing to bring reinforcements seemed amusing at the time. This incident however would contribute to the growing hatred and fear against Luna that would eventually lead to his assassination. The way most of the audience reacted to the film (as is seen in comments in social media) seems to point that despite his unconventional behavior, he had gained their sympathy and admiration, a reaction which modern antiheroes elicit. Luna will pay the price for his passionate outbursts however. His intentions may have been for the good of the fledgling army that lacked discipline and despised coordination, but not everyone was happy about it. In this way, not only is Luna an antihero but a tragic hero who, according to Aristotle, “is not eminently good and just, whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty.” Luna is a tragic hero "who commits (wittingly or unwittingly) an injury or great wrong that ultimately led to his misfortune." He is not necessarily a good hero, but a human with flaws. Some of the materials used for the creation of the film were from an earlier script shelved for several years, Nick Joaquin's A Question of Heroes, and Vivencio José's The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna. Whether the Luna is the movie is historically accurate or slightly exaggerated, he is a character who is a striking contrast to the other figures in the film such as Aguinaldo.

Luna's insane charge against the American troops bolstered his troops' morale

The portrayal of Aguinaldo did not escape my notice as well. Although it was not implied that he was the mastermind behind Luna's assassination, he is depicted as indecisive and biased towards his kababayans from Cavite. I leave the speculations about Luna's death to the experts, but Aguinaldo's behavior in the movie shows that even among those fighting for a common cause liked to label themselves as "us and others." When asked if he could do something about Gen. Tomas Mascardo, who refused to obey Luna's orders, Aguinaldo remarked that "… mga kasama ko sila…" (… they were my companions… [from Kawit]). Recall from history as well that the fate of the Katipunan was also plagued by divisive factions. Is the practice of "othering" so ingrained in the Filipino mind that our founding fathers were willing to betray their brothers who are fighting the same cause? Janolino's and Mascardo's insistence on following only Aguinaldo's orders reflect such "us and others" behavior despite the obvious consequences that might result from it. Luna's character seemed fiery compared to Aguinaldo's cold and distant leadership. I can easily see why the audience would sympathize more with the foul-mouthed general whose goals are transparent than the leader who is surrounded by gossips and lickspittles.

On the second viewing of the movie, I began to see omissions that might or might not have affected the story. The film failed to mention the events prior to the second phase of the Philippine Revolution. Students and historians might recall that Luna was in favor of reform over revolution. When he and his brothers were arrested and jailed, his statements were used against Rizal and the Katipuneros. I do not think that the movie meant to show Luna's change of heart as a journey of redemption however because this was omitted. If this was included in the film, I think it will only reinforce his image as antihero.

Another thing that I noticed is the portrayal of the Americans. I recall during my grade school and high school days that the Americans were usually written in the textbooks as the "rescuers" of the Filipinos from foreign occupation and the bringer of justice and education. In the movie however, they were shown in a different light. Even the lighting and camera angles made them look ominous characters. This prevailing belief that the Americans were benefactors is poignantly challenged in a scene where Joven Hernando had his writing hand shot and his ears rang during an encounter with the Americans. This is the film's way of saying that the later generations (because Hernando is a young man and therefore represents the Filipino youth and later generations) became "blind, deaf, and ignorant" of the role played by the Americans in the war. The massacre, rape and plunder shown in film are information you do not usually read in school textbooks. Books would usually gloss over this part of history.

I was apprehensive at how they will represent the women in film, but when I saw the female soldiers getting compliments from Capt. Eduardo Rusca during a fight scene I was fine with that. In war films where the protagonist is male, the female characters usually shown are lovers (girlfriend or wife), mothers or children. Isabel played the role of Luna's lover. Both Luna's and Aguinaldo's mothers were present as well. I don't know if the viewers have noticed one particular scene where Isabel remarked to Mascardo that both he (Mascardo) and Luna are acting like children. I think that would be an accurate response by a woman observing men in petty quarrels, especially if there are more important things at stake.

The selection of the actors was well-though out. I like the trio of Luna, Rusca and Col. Francisco Roman. You often find a trio of hothead-cool and serious-comic characters in other series, movies and books, but this is probably the first time I've seen this triad in a Filipino war film---and it's effective! John Arcilla played Luna's role like it was tailor-made for him. I think he played Luna even better than Luna himself.

The fight scenes were not so bad. I think both field action and indoor meetings were given equal attention, after all this is still a historical film. It would have been drab otherwise if dialogues were given more attention. If there were more fight scenes however, it would have been ineffective in delivering the movie's message.

Lastly, the viewers should have paid attention to the disclaimer at the beginning of the film. Heneral Luna is not simply a patriotic film but could be said to have shown the "bigger truth" about the nature of Filipinos when faced with an adversary that is nearly impossible to defeat. Initially, the movie could just be about a man who was both a hero with good intentions but could not keep his human imperfections in check. Or it could be questioning Aguinaldo's supposed non-involvement in Luna's death. But when examined closely it also challenges the role the Americans played in history and our readiness to accept fabricated history.

Most Filipinos dismiss historical films and television series as boring and unfashionable (I have reviewed some historical television series in this blog. Check them out if you're interested). I do not blame them. Looking at all previous historical films and comparing these to films from our Asian neighbors and Hollywood, Filipino historical films look more like action films (no offense no to action stars but let's admit it, casting also affects the audience's reception) with a star-studded cast (just to attract masses even if some actors are mediocre) and therefore lack depth. This is not to say that there weren't any good historical films (Jose Rizal with Cesar Montano as lead character was good). When executed very well like Heneral Luna however, I think there will be more market for Filipino historical or historical fiction films. Heneral Luna is the kind of movie that will keep your mind working even after you have watched it---the kind that the Philippine movie industry severely lacks.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Cast and staff:
Directed by Jerrold Tarog
Produced by E.A. Rocha
Written by E.A. Rocha, Henry Hunt Francia, and Jerrold Tarog
Music by Jerrold Tarog
Cinematography by Pong Ignacio
Edited by Jerrold Tarog
Production Company: Artikulo Uno Productions
Distributed by Quantum Films
Release date: September 9, 2015

John Arcilla as Gen. Antonio Luna
Mon Confiado as President Emilio Aguinaldo
Epi Quizon as Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini
Alvin Anson as Gen. José Alejandrino
Nonie Buencamino as Felipe Buencamino
Leo Martinez as Pedro Paterno
Joem Bascon as Col. Francisco "Paco" Román
Art Acuña as Col. Manuel Bernal
Alex Medina as Capt. José Bernal
Archie Alemania as Capt. Eduardo Rusca
Ronnie Lazaro as Lt. García
Lorenz Martinez as Gen. Tomás Mascardo
Ketchup Eusebio as Capt. Pedro Janolino
Anthony Falcon as Sgt. Díaz
Paulo Avelino as Gen. Gregorio del Pilar
Benjamin Alves as Lt. Manuel L. Quezon
Miguel Faustmann as Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr.
E.A. Rocha as Maj. Gen. Elwell Otis
Bing Pimentel as Laureana Luna
Allan Paule as Juan Luna
Marc Abaya as young Antonio Luna
Perla Bautista as Trinidad Aguinaldo
Arron Villaflor as Joven Hernando
Mylene Dizon as Isabel