AKO Batch '81 (1982)
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| Directed by Mike De Leon |
This film is like one of the films i really look up to when i talk about movies. AKO Batch '81 is Mike De Leon's let's say masterpiece of it's time. It shows a fascist nature, getting a metaphorical representation of the political administration during the 80's, Marcos Administration. I cannot believe myself that such local films like this existed, i was surprise on its nature, no wonder why Mike de leon is like one of the greatest Filipino film director out there.
It has it's art of violence. Mike De Leon was known to have this mad style, he is for me a very versatile director, he made films with different atmosphere, nature and theme yet his exquisite executions of style is very visible. It was clear that De Leon is not denying the fact that his style is not that so authentic but has a very discreet approach, because mostly you'll notice specially here at AKO Batch '81, the shadows of Kubrick's undeniable style but not techniques to be more clear about it.
AKO Batch '81 tells a story of Sid Lucero (Mike De Leon), a college student from a University who was get interested in joining a prominent exclusive fraternity inside their university called "Alpha Kappa Omega", through this he also met other neophytes who was also wants to join the frat, and they are the Batch 81. The journey of violence that they face during the initiation was told into Sid Lucero perspective into a very unique approach. Through that face different forceful challenges while trying to make batch the best as possible. It is an array of emotional and physical pain ride.
Perception is the most interesting approach on this movie. It was clear that the movie was told into Sid Lucero's point of view by way of his narration, but it felt like it wasn't just from a point of view of a one person but it's the point of view whole batch while struggling with their initiations. Talking about perspective i would say that it looks like its divided into three different point of view; first its Lucero's point of view of how good to be in a fraternity along side with other neophytes, the second one is the fear and the consequences of being there, and the third one is the point of view of his eagerness throughout the method.
All those three divisions of perspective of the character wasn't used chronologically in this film yet it was there through scenes by scenes but it gets stronger the more the film gets into its conclusion. It does really help a lot to tell the structure of the story. It becomes strong basis of the acts, that was told every moment in time in this film, and i must it was very clever and surprising because it does really work, and mostly those kind of approach is a bit hard notice yet on Mike De Leon's style it wasn't and its very visible.
Another highlight on this film is the tone, and the shadow of Kubrick's inspiration for Mike De Leon are there, you felt it if you ever seen Kubrick's films and specially when you see 1971's A Clock Work Orange which the real basis of the inspiration for this movie. From the use of sounds and the way it was shot is really enthralling yet you have this dense feelings. Just to be clear about it De Leon wasn't really copying Kubrick but he took references to use it for his own style and technique for good.
There was a scene here where it reminded me of De Leon's 1992 "Aliwan Paradise" tone, and it was wonderful because of the sudden change of tone, this where the different fraternity perform, and the performance of AKO is great, they imitate Willkommen performance by Joel Grey. The tone wasn't really change rather the real tone becomes lighter and then this performance was put in there. It was amazing and then after it goes back darker that leads frat war. Say before the performance there this tension and then performance came, it's light and afterward it becomes so dark. That iconic scene itself tells a lot of things about the opposing fraternities that performed. AKO performance shows their wittiness and their lightness as "Kapatiran" while SOS or Sigma Omicron Sigma frat performance shows on how their frat are willing to break rules on what said oath of them. Just that scene itself is clever way to introduce to the leading scene which is the confrontation of both group,
Another thing is what this movie tell us, for me it wasn't just trying to tell one subject here about fraternity, but it tells more than, it is a broad film that has a subject of "Power". This movies was filmed during the militarism of the government, and the government use of the power, which is the martial law. But it was then a metaphor. AKO Batch '81 tells two different things the other one is what we really see in the film, that is it tries show us nature of frat wars, initiations and hazing and the second one the use of power, a metaphor on the current situation of the government during that time.
The violence on this film are just gruesome, and the great about it is the violence becomes stronger and stronger, it started from a very light violence to very gritty tone, and the torture scene is realistic, thanks to the performance of the actors who did a really great job, and it wasn't just the physical struggle is the thing that feel so realistic also their emotional ride, you really care about this characters because of that kind of show off.
Overall AKO Batch '81 is a very authentic and surreal kind of a local film. The film style of Mike De Leon is just mind blowing for me, that's why i can't deny he is one of my favorite Filipino director of all time. This film is so heart touching for me personally, because although i wasn't born during this days where this films was a huge thing in the Philippines, the movie does really shows me how great Mike De Leon really was. This movie is a must see kind film specially for today's standard. The use of Mike De Leon's inspiration from Stanley Kubrick films from start to end are just wondrous, the acceptance of was is there is the main product of that inspiration connected to this film's theme. It was easily our De Leon's footnote on how he respect the his inspiration and took that as an advantage to tell his audience about something.
AKO Batch '81 is directed by Mike De Leon starring Mark Gil, Ward Luarca, Noel Trinidad, Ricky Sandico, Jimmy Javier, Rod Leido and more
All those three divisions of perspective of the character wasn't used chronologically in this film yet it was there through scenes by scenes but it gets stronger the more the film gets into its conclusion. It does really help a lot to tell the structure of the story. It becomes strong basis of the acts, that was told every moment in time in this film, and i must it was very clever and surprising because it does really work, and mostly those kind of approach is a bit hard notice yet on Mike De Leon's style it wasn't and its very visible.
Another highlight on this film is the tone, and the shadow of Kubrick's inspiration for Mike De Leon are there, you felt it if you ever seen Kubrick's films and specially when you see 1971's A Clock Work Orange which the real basis of the inspiration for this movie. From the use of sounds and the way it was shot is really enthralling yet you have this dense feelings. Just to be clear about it De Leon wasn't really copying Kubrick but he took references to use it for his own style and technique for good.
There was a scene here where it reminded me of De Leon's 1992 "Aliwan Paradise" tone, and it was wonderful because of the sudden change of tone, this where the different fraternity perform, and the performance of AKO is great, they imitate Willkommen performance by Joel Grey. The tone wasn't really change rather the real tone becomes lighter and then this performance was put in there. It was amazing and then after it goes back darker that leads frat war. Say before the performance there this tension and then performance came, it's light and afterward it becomes so dark. That iconic scene itself tells a lot of things about the opposing fraternities that performed. AKO performance shows their wittiness and their lightness as "Kapatiran" while SOS or Sigma Omicron Sigma frat performance shows on how their frat are willing to break rules on what said oath of them. Just that scene itself is clever way to introduce to the leading scene which is the confrontation of both group,
Another thing is what this movie tell us, for me it wasn't just trying to tell one subject here about fraternity, but it tells more than, it is a broad film that has a subject of "Power". This movies was filmed during the militarism of the government, and the government use of the power, which is the martial law. But it was then a metaphor. AKO Batch '81 tells two different things the other one is what we really see in the film, that is it tries show us nature of frat wars, initiations and hazing and the second one the use of power, a metaphor on the current situation of the government during that time.
The violence on this film are just gruesome, and the great about it is the violence becomes stronger and stronger, it started from a very light violence to very gritty tone, and the torture scene is realistic, thanks to the performance of the actors who did a really great job, and it wasn't just the physical struggle is the thing that feel so realistic also their emotional ride, you really care about this characters because of that kind of show off.
Overall AKO Batch '81 is a very authentic and surreal kind of a local film. The film style of Mike De Leon is just mind blowing for me, that's why i can't deny he is one of my favorite Filipino director of all time. This film is so heart touching for me personally, because although i wasn't born during this days where this films was a huge thing in the Philippines, the movie does really shows me how great Mike De Leon really was. This movie is a must see kind film specially for today's standard. The use of Mike De Leon's inspiration from Stanley Kubrick films from start to end are just wondrous, the acceptance of was is there is the main product of that inspiration connected to this film's theme. It was easily our De Leon's footnote on how he respect the his inspiration and took that as an advantage to tell his audience about something.
AKO Batch '81 is directed by Mike De Leon starring Mark Gil, Ward Luarca, Noel Trinidad, Ricky Sandico, Jimmy Javier, Rod Leido and more
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