In the past few years, the international film industry has churned out superhero movies at a rate much like The Flash’s superhuman speed. Longtime comic book fans and newbies alike are delighted every time a new movie is added to the genre. Whether they’re produced by DC Comics or Marvel, these action-packed films never failed to draw in crowds at their opening nights.
The same can be said for hero movies that focus on the extraordinary feats of real people. Jerrold Tarog’s Heneral Luna (2015), a biopic on General Antonio Luna’s leadership and heroism during the Philippine-American War, sparked a new interest in Philippine historical movies and encouraged the production of more films of this kind. This National Heroes Day, in a time of significant unrest among the masses that is heard and felt all over the country, it’s the everyday heroes that take the spotlight. Vantage rounds up five gripping documentaries that are an unflinching look into their brave lives.
I-Witness: Titser Annie (2015)
Directed by: Anna Isabelle Matutina
This 28-minute documentary follows teacher Annie Lee Masongsong as she journeys through the mountains of Oriental Mindoro with I-Witness host Kara David. “Titser Annie” left the comforts of teaching in a private institution for a mission: To give the Mangyan folk at Labo Elementary School a chance to attain quality education. Annie’s determination to provide this for the community despite having to trek and wade through 16 rivers to reach the school proves how dedicated she is to her cause. People like her make it possible for everyone, even those living in remote areas of the country, to attain a formal education.
Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i20TWCfLLWs
Motherland (2017)
Directed by: Ramona S. Diaz
Filipino-American filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz provides a surprisingly sweet and upbeat story about the Dr. Jose Fabella Hospital in Santa Cruz, Manila. Rather than being an exposé showcasing how dire the situation is for maternity wards in low-income parts of the country, Motherland brings to light the positive attitudes of the people involved. It especially highlights how underfunded public hospitals are—medical machines are either old or broken, there is not enough room for patients, and shifts are often undermanned. According to the film, the hospital is home to one of the busiest maternity wards in the world as shown by the sheer number of people going in and out on a daily basis. Despite this, mothers go through the maternity process with smiles on their faces thanks to the level-headed hospital employees who do their best to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Where to watch: http://www.motherland-film.com/screenings/
The Helper (2017)
Directed by: Joanna Bowers
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are often referred to as modern-day heroes because of the many sacrifices they make to support their families. Analyn, a domestic worker in Hong Kong, is one of the helpers featured. In the documentary, we see Analyn struggle to fix her relationship with her son back home, whom she left to give a better life. Phone conversations between mother and son, where the latter expresses how much he misses his mother, capture just how much Analyn is putting at stake to provide for her family. The film also captures happy moments such as the journey of the Unsung Heroes, a choir composed of domestic workers, and their performance at a big-time international music festival in the country.
Where to watch: https://helperdocumentary.com/watch-the-film/
Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)
Directed by: Baby Ruth Villarama
Another documentary that focuses on the plight of domestic workers in Hong Kong, Sunday Beauty Queen weaves together stories from five Filipino women as they work non-stop for six days straight. Sunday is their only day off, and they spend it in glamorous pageants that serve as an escape—a day to feel empowered with fellow Filipinas who understand their struggles. These OFWs willingly live under unfair working conditions—such as living in the cramped kitchens of their employers, eating only once a day, and enduring verbal abuse—in order to provide a decent living for their families back home. Despite these struggles, it’s inspiring to see their strength as they go through every challenge fueled by the thought of their loved ones.
Where to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cinema76fs/
Panatag Shoal Diaries (2017)
Produced by: Manila Shimbun
Filipino-Japanese broadsheet Manila Shimbun produced this six-part documentary that follows a group of fishermen from Infanta, Pangasinan to Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal off the coast of Zambales. The fishermen, who have been fishing in the area all of their lives, share how their livelihoods were obstructed by China’s unlawful occupation of the shoal—Chinese ships would bar them from fishing in areas where fish were abundant and would bully them into giving up their best catch. It’s heart-wrenching to see how they have been trying to survive on their own without much help from the government. No matter how much the administration insists their talks with China are working, the men are still forced to negotiate the terms of their livelihood with powerful Chinese groups on their own. With his head held high, fisherman Noel Daruca says: “Sa amin ’to. Ipaglalaban namin na sa Pilipinas ang Scarborough Shoal (This is ours. We will fight for Scarborough Shoal as the Philippines’ own).” It doesn’t get more heroic than that.
Where to watch: https://youtu.be/PoSbA2S09I8