Martyr or Murderer: The Marcos Family's Role in the Death of Ninoy Aquino (Free Download)

Martyr or Murderer: A Review of the Controversial Film

If you are a fan of Philippine history and politics, you might have heard of the film Martyr or Murderer, which was released in 2023. The film is a sequel to Maid in Malacañang, which chronicled the final days of the Marcos family before they were ousted from power in 1986. Martyr or Murderer explores the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, the rival of Ferdinand Marcos, and how it sparked the People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorship. It also delves into the life of the Marcoses in exile, especially Imee Marcos, who was involved in some scandals and intrigues in Morocco.

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The film has been met with mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike. Some praised it for its bold and daring portrayal of one of the most turbulent periods in Philippine history, while others criticized it for its inaccurate and biased depiction of the events and characters. In this article, I will review the film and give my honest opinion on its merits and flaws. I will also discuss some of the main themes and messages that the film conveys, and how they relate to the current situation in the Philippines.

Introduction

What is Martyr or Murderer?

Martyr or Murderer is a drama film directed by Darryl Yap, who also wrote and directed Maid in Malacañang. The film stars Cesar Montano as Ferdinand Marcos, Isko Moreno as Ninoy Aquino, Ruffa Gutierrez as Imelda Marcos, Cristine Reyes as Imee Marcos, Diego Loyzaga as Bongbong Marcos, and Ella Cruz as Irene Marcos. The film is part of a trilogy that focuses on the Marcos family and their role in Philippine history. The first film, Maid in Malacañang, was released in 2022 and was a huge box office hit. The third film, which is yet to be announced, will reportedly cover the return of the Marcoses to Philippine politics after their exile.

Why is it controversial?

The film is controversial because it deals with a sensitive and divisive topic in Philippine society: the legacy of Ferdinand Marcos and his regime. Marcos ruled the Philippines for 21 years, from 1965 to 1986, and declared martial law in 1972 to suppress dissent and opposition. He was accused of committing human rights violations, corruption, plunder, nepotism, cronyism, and electoral fraud during his tenure. He was also blamed for plunging the country into economic crisis and social unrest.

On August 21, 1983, Ninoy Aquino, a former senator and a vocal critic of Marcos, was assassinated at the Manila International Airport upon his return from exile in the United States. His death sparked a massive public outrage and a series of protests that culminated in the EDSA Revolution of February 1986, which forced Marcos to flee to Hawaii with his family. Aquino became a national hero and a symbol of democracy for many Filipinos.

However, not everyone agrees on this narrative. Some people still support Marcos and his achievements, such as building infrastructure projects, promoting national unity and identity, strengthening foreign relations, and implementing social reforms. They also question Aquino's motives and integrity, and claim that he was not a martyr but a traitor who conspired with communists and foreign powers to overthrow Marcos. They also allege that he was not killed by Marcos' men but by his own allies who wanted to use his death as a pretext for a coup.

The film tries to present both sides of the story, but it also takes some creative liberties and adds some fictional elements that may not be based on facts or What are the main themes and messages of the film?

The film tries to explore the complex and controversial history of the Philippines under the Marcos regime, and how it affected the lives of the people involved. The film also raises some questions about the nature of power, corruption, justice, truth, and heroism. Some of the themes and messages that the film conveys are:

• The ambiguity and subjectivity of history. The film shows that there are different versions and interpretations of what happened during the martial law era, depending on who is telling the story and what their agenda is. The film does not claim to present the absolute truth, but rather invites the viewers to think critically and form their own opinions.

• The humanization and dehumanization of the Marcoses and Aquino. The film portrays the Marcoses and Aquino as complex and flawed human beings, rather than as caricatures or stereotypes. The film shows their strengths and weaknesses, their motivations and emotions, their achievements and failures, their virtues and vices. The film also shows how they were affected by the circumstances and pressures that they faced, and how they influenced and were influenced by others.

• The consequences and costs of political violence. The film depicts the brutality and bloodshed that occurred during the martial law era, and how it impacted the lives of millions of Filipinos. The film shows the suffering and trauma of the victims of human rights violations, as well as the guilt and remorse of some of the perpetrators. The film also shows how political violence can create a cycle of hatred, revenge, and more violence.

• The importance and challenge of reconciliation and healing. The film suggests that in order to move forward as a nation, the Philippines needs to confront its past and seek justice for the victims of martial law. The film also suggests that reconciliation and healing require forgiveness, compassion, dialogue, and understanding among all parties involved.

Plot summary

The assassination of Ninoy Aquino

The film begins with a flashback to August 21, 1983, when Ninoy Aquino was shot dead at the Manila International Airport upon his arrival from exile in the United States. The film shows how his assassination sparked a massive public outrage and a series of protests that culminated in the EDSA Revolution of February 1986, which forced Marcos to flee to Hawaii with his family.

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The film then shifts to a present-day scene where Imee Marcos (Cristine Reyes) is being interviewed by a journalist (Ryza Cenon) about her involvement in the assassination. Imee denies any knowledge or participation in the plot, and claims that she was in Morocco at that time with her boyfriend Mark Chua (JC Santos). She also accuses Ninoy of being a traitor who conspired with communists and foreign powers to overthrow her father.

The film then shows a series of flashbacks that reveal what really happened before, during, and after the assassination. The flashbacks show how Ninoy was planning to return to the Philippines to challenge Marcos in a snap election, despite knowing the risks involved. The flashbacks also show how Marcos was facing a deteriorating health condition, a crumbling economy, a growing opposition movement, and a loss of support from his allies.

The flashbacks also show how Imee was secretly involved in orchestrating the assassination with the help of her boyfriend Mark Chua, who was actually an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The flashbacks show how Imee hired a group of assassins led by Rolando Galman (Rocco Nacino) to kill Ninoy at the airport. The flashbacks also show how Imee framed Galman as a communist hitman who acted alone. The downfall of the Marcoses

The film then shows how the assassination of Ninoy Aquino triggered a series of events that led to the downfall of the Marcoses. The film shows how the people, especially the youth, the media, the church, and the civil society, mobilized and organized themselves to demand justice for Ninoy and democracy for the country. The film also shows how some of Marcos' loyalists, such as Juan Ponce Enrile (Joel Torre) and Fidel Ramos (Dingdong Dantes), defected and joined forces with the opposition.

The film then depicts the EDSA Revolution of February 1986, which was a peaceful and bloodless uprising that ousted Marcos from power. The film shows how millions of Filipinos gathered at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to support the rebel soldiers who barricaded themselves at Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. The film also shows how Marcos tried to use force and propaganda to quell the revolt, but failed to do so. The film also shows how Corazon Aquino (Angel Aquino), Ninoy's widow, was sworn in as the new president of the Philippines, while Marcos and his family fled to Hawaii with the help of the United States.

The life in exile and the intrigues surrounding Imee Marcos

The film then shifts to the life of the Marcoses in exile, especially Imee Marcos, who was involved in some scandals and intrigues in Morocco. The film shows how Imee tried to rebuild her life and reputation in Morocco, where she met and married Tommy Manotoc (Jake Cuenca), a former basketball coach who was previously married to her sister Irene. The film also shows how Imee became friends with Princess Lalla Meryem (Maja Salvador), the sister of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

The film then reveals that Imee was actually plotting to return to power in the Philippines, with the help of her husband, her friend, and some foreign agents. The film shows how Imee secretly funded and supported some groups and individuals who were loyal to her father and who were opposed to Corazon Aquino's administration. The film also shows how Imee orchestrated some destabilization attempts, such as coup d'etats, bombings, assassinations, and propaganda campaigns.

The film then exposes how Imee's schemes backfired and caused more problems for her and her family. The film shows how Imee's involvement in the assassination of Ninoy Aquino was eventually uncovered by a joint investigation by the Philippine and American authorities. The film also shows how Imee's relationship with Princess Lalla Meryem soured after she discovered that Imee was using her for political purposes. The film also shows how Imee's marriage with Tommy Manotoc collapsed after he found out that she was having an affair with Mark Chua, who was actually a double agent working for Corazon Aquino. Analysis and critique

The strengths of the film

The film has some strengths that make it worth watching and appreciating. Some of the strengths of the film are:

• The cinematography and production design. The film has a high-quality and realistic visual presentation that captures the atmosphere and mood of the different settings and time periods. The film uses authentic costumes, props, and locations that recreate the look and feel of the martial law era, the EDSA Revolution, and the Moroccan culture.

• The acting and characterization. The film has a talented and charismatic cast that delivers convincing and nuanced performances. The film portrays the Marcoses and Aquino as complex and flawed human beings, rather than as caricatures or stereotypes. The film shows their strengths and weaknesses, their motivations and emotions, their achievements and failures, their virtues and vices.

• The dialogue and humor. The film has a witty and engaging script that balances drama and comedy. The film uses humor to lighten up some of the dark and heavy scenes, and to poke fun at some of the absurdities and ironies of Philippine politics. The film also uses dialogue to convey some of the themes and messages of the film, such as the ambiguity and subjectivity of history, the consequences and costs of political violence, and the importance and challenge of reconciliation and healing.

The weaknesses of the film

The film also has some weaknesses that limit its potential and impact. Some of the weaknesses of the film are:

• The length and pacing. The film is too long and slow for its own good. The film runs for almost three hours, which is exhausting and tedious for some viewers. The film also has some unnecessary and redundant scenes that drag the story and dilute the focus. The film could have been shorter and tighter by cutting out some of the subplots and flashbacks that do not add much to the main plot.

• The accuracy and bias. The film is not very accurate or objective in its depiction of the events and characters. The film takes some creative liberties and adds some fictional elements that may not be based on facts or evidence. The film also shows some bias in favor of or against certain parties or perspectives. The film tends to glorify or vilify some of the Marcoses and Aquino, depending on who is telling the story and what their agenda is.

• The originality and relevance. The film is not very original or relevant in its concept or execution. The film is a sequel to a previous film that already covered most of the same topics and themes. The film also does not offer anything new or insightful that has not been already said or shown before by other sources or media. The film also does not connect well with the current situation in the Philippines, which has changed a lot since the martial law era.

Conclusion

Summary of the main points

Martyr or Murderer is a drama film that explores the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, the downfall of the Marcoses, and the life in exile of Imee Marcos. The film tries to present both sides of the story, but it also takes some creative liberties and adds some fictional elements that may not be based on facts or evidence. The film also conveys some themes and messages about the nature of power, corruption, justice, truth, and heroism.

Personal opinion and recommendation

In my personal opinion, Martyr or Murderer is a decent but flawed film that has some strengths but also some weaknesses. I think that the film is worth watching for its cinematography, acting, dialogue, humor, but I also think that it could have been better if it was shorter, more accurate, more objective, more original, more relevant.

I would recommend this film to people who are interested in Philippine history and politics, especially those who want to learn more about the martial law era, the EDSA Revolution, and the Marcos family. I would also recommend this film to people who enjoy drama films with complex characters, witty scripts, humorous scenes.

FAQs

• What is Martyr or Murderer?

Martyr or Murderer is a drama film directed by Darryl Yap that explores the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, the downfall of the Marcoses, and the life in exile of Imee Marcos.

• Who are the main actors in Martyr or Murderer?

The main actors in Martyr or Murderer are Cesar Montano as Ferdinand Marcos, Isko Moreno as Ninoy Aquino, Ruffa Gutierrez as Imelda Marcos, Cristine Reyes as Imee Marcos, Diego Loyzaga as Bongbong Marcos, Ella Cruz as Irene Marcos.

• When was When was Martyr or Murderer released?

Martyr or Murderer was released in 2023, as a sequel to Maid in Malacañang, which was released in 2022.

• What are the main themes and messages of Martyr or Murderer?

Some of the main themes and messages of Martyr or Murderer are the ambiguity and subjectivity of history, the humanization and dehumanization of the Marcoses and Aquino, the consequences and costs of political violence, and the importance and challenge of reconciliation and healing.

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Martyr or Murderer?

Some of the strengths of Martyr or Murderer are the cinematography, acting, dialogue, humor, while some of the weaknesses are the length, accuracy, bias, originality, relevance.

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