I was among those who had the privilege of watching the August 21 premiere of “The Last Journey of Ninoy” at Rockwell. Before seeing the movie, I viewed the trailer on youtube. To be very honest, I had some qualms about how good my movie experience would be when I realized that recreated footage featuring actors were shot for the movie. Then again, it presents itself as a movie, not a documentary. My misgivings stemmed from the fact that the subject is very close to our hearts, and the emotions are quite fresh, especially with the recent passing of Cory. It might be difficult for any Filipino to take a step back and exhibit restraint. And restraint, to begin with, is not an attribute typically associated with Filipinos.
To my surprise, relief, and appreciation, the handling of the movie exhibits sensitive restraint. Hats off to Jun Reyes, and to his pool of writers, as well. From a filmmaking standpoint, the movie is actually interesting. Much of it (or, at least, the impression it gave me) consists of documentary footage and still photos, interspersed with Cory’s last interview, and threaded together by the recreated footage. And it works! It’s seamless, and it flows. As a movie experience, it is both absorbing and moving. The heart and the power of the movie reside in the storytelling. And that is where, I think, the movie really succeeds. Much of the storytelling is done by Ninoy and Cory. A lesser director would probably have succumbed to the temptation of devising some ingenious, artsy treatment to tell the story and put a signature stamp on the movie. Thankfully, the director is very smart and very much secure in his own abilities and didn’t feel the need to make a statement. Instead, he let Ninoy and Cory tell their own story, in their own words. As a result, it gives the movie its heart, its authenticity, its credibility, and its soul. Quite remarkably, you see the documentary footage you’ve seen countless times before, but now, you feel differently about them because you’re seeing them from a different perspective.
Beyond the storytelling, perhaps the movie’s greatest significance is how it gives the viewer insights into the character of real, earnest leaders. Maybe – hopefully – it guides and inspires us in the way we choose the leaders we elect. It’s amazing what Ninoy and Cory showed us: Real leadership and genuine service have very little to do with power or the pursuit of it. Very thought provoking. Very inspiring. But also very depressing when one looks at the current crop of political aspirants.
Go see the movie. “The Last Journey of Ninoy” will be shown at Cinema 4 of Glorietta 4. Below is the screening schedule:
August 29, Saturday – 11:00 AM & 12:20 PM
August 30, Sunday – 11:00 AM & 12:20 PM
August 31, Monday – 11:00 AM & 12:20 PM
Tickets go for P150 each. Proceeds will be donated in full to the programs of Ninoy and Cory through the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation (BSAF).
