Human rights, rule of law tackled in 'Respeto'
Before staging its second edition, filmmaking competition
Freedom Mov_E visited the Queen City of the South to further spread their advocacy of supporting human rights and the rule of
law.
Gathering Cebuano educators and students, the Freedom Mov_E by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines (FNF) presented last year’s winners, and also brought the 2017 Cinemalaya hit “Respeto” by Alberto “Treb” Monteras II to Cinema 2 of Robinsons Galleria Cebu with the help of DAKILA and Active Vista.
Starring Abra, Dido de la Paz, Loonie, Kate Alejandrino, Chai Fonacier, Ybes Bagadiong, Brian Arda, Thea Yrastorza, and Nor Domingo, the Cinemalaya 2017 Best Feature Length film is about Hendrix (rapper Abra), who dreams of hip-hop greatness. As the young man spirals down a rabbit-hole of crime and poverty, Hendrix meets Doc, an old poet haunted by his martial law past. Hendrix and Doc somehow turn each other’s lives around. Described as a “celebration of the undergournd Pinoy hip-hop world,” “Respeto” is almost a coming-of-age hip-hop film that tackles the imposing regime of crime, poverty and violence, finding one’s self and the parallels between one generation and another.
Leni Velasco-Bicol of DAKILA and Active Vista called “Respeto” essential viewing especially for the youth.
“Amidst those who blur, twist, and rewrite history in favor of their own self-serving interests, it is high time that the youth is engaged in enlightening discussions of human rights and the dangers of having them taken away,” VelascoBicol said of the film’s relevance since, apart from the never-ending topic of inequality, poverty, and violence, “Respeto” also speaks of martial law under the Marcos regime, something that the new generation only have an outsider’s point of view of.
“The freedom and rights enjoyed today can only be truly appreciated if there is a full understanding of how they were fought for. It is through this that history will not be forgotten in time,” she said.
An open forum and panel discussion with representatives from NGOs, the academe, and the film followed the screening. Apart from VelascoBicol, the other panelists were Atty. Cathy Alvarez of StreetLawPH; “Respeto” producer and line producer Roy Anunciacion and Kristine Kintana; Wolfgang Heinze of FNF; Bro. Eugene Isaac D. Leaño from the Society of Saint Paul and Senior High School instructor at Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu; Isaiah Crisanto of No Budget Productions; and film director and local rapper Kris Villarino, also known as Pain in the Neck.
Using “Respeto” as an example, the exchange discussed whether criminals still maintain their human rights, as well as the lonely, unpopular, and dangerous road taken by human rights advocates. The forum also led to the efforts of local filmmakers, the role of the audience in creating films with weight, and the role of arts and humanities in informal education and forming sensibilities. With young viewers, they also talked about the role of the Filipino youth in social and political issues.
Velasco-Bicol quipped that the genius of “Respeto” is not evidenced in its filmmaking alone but because of its message: “a truth that we cannot ignore,” as she puts it. She hopes that the film opens discourse on the culture of violence and disregard for due process that is taking place all over the country, which transcends online as well. Through art, she said, we are reminded of our humanity.
“We hope that we will continue to refuse to breed a generation whose culture disregards human rights, whose idea of discipline is rooted out of fear, and whose notion of progress alienates the concept of justice,” she said. “We reclaim what is innately our most powerful weapon against wars waged by dictators and oppressors—our humanity.”
Country Director of FNF Philippines, Wolfgang Heinze, also pointed out that freedom is something that one constantly needs to work for. As a partner for freedom, Heinze reminded the Cebuano youth to exercise their right to suffrage as a way of having their voices heard and making a difference.
“Freedom is not something at the department store to buy and have at home,” Heinze reminded the audience. “It’s something that we really have to work on every day. It is something that every generation has to fight for again. It is with the respect and appreciation of freedom that we get to realize our worth and dignity as a person.”
Heinze said that Freedom Mov_E is a collective effort and cannot be done alone. The Freedom Mov_E filmmaking competition, which features super-short films (maximum of four minutes) of any genre translating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into timely narratives, has decided to extend their submission of films until October 12.
“We very much look forward to your contributions,” Heinze invited the Cebuano crowd. “We have always wanted to hear more from the people of Cebu and look forward to your contributions.”