Independence Day Movie Fest: 7 Freedom-Loving Films

Independence Day

Freedom from: Antagonizing aliens

When planet Earth is under siege from marauding extraterrestrials from the dark recesses of the universe, mankind bands together (led by the always-patriotic Will Smith) to fight-off the alien scum. They blew up the White House, they’re going to try and take over, but hell will freeze over before man lets them. Because if there’s one thing that humans are good at, it is in fact survival.

Babae sa Septic Tank

Freedom from: Run of the mill indie cinema

Local independent films have a knack for exploiting poverty, despair, and gay relationships; “poverty porn” as some would call it. Not that there’s anything wrong with these heavy-handed third-world themes, but there’s a certain freshness that comes with an indie outing that pokes fun at the independent filmmaking process. Babae sa Septic Tank was last year’s runaway hit at the Cinemalaya Film Festival where Eugene Domingo stars as a diva-nized version of herself. As three struggling filmmakers discuss the conventions of their latest project, their “poverty porn” is revamped as a musical, a documentary, and a melodrama. Feel free to let out a few nut-busting laughs with this brave breakthrough movie. Plus, you get to see Ms. Domingo swim in sewage.

Detroit Rock City

Freedom from: Misguided moms

For fans of this rock and roll comedy the group MATMOK should ring a bell. MOTHERS AGAINST THE MUSIC OF KISS was the group of rallying maternal figures that wanted nothing more than to send Gene Simmons and his band of makeup-wearing, leather-sporting, tongue-wagging misfits to the pits of hell. Well, that didn’t stop the four teenage leads in the film from scrapping their way to a free KISS concert. We’ve all had parents who’ve told us to turn the damn music off or stopped us from seeing a rowdy gig or two. But hell, it’s okay to let your inner-rebel out once in awhile and let your freak flag fly, because as the song goes: “I wanna rock and roll all night and party everyday!”

Istokwa

Freedom from: Forbidden love

Chito Roño’s tale of forbidden love is kind of Shakespearean…if you swapped Romeo and Juliet for Mark Anthony Fernandez and G Toengi. The two play Migo and Jenny, young lovers whose star-crossed paths are not approved of by the parental units. Their solution, tanan na! Set to OPM rock tunes of 90s like Eraserhead’s “Overdrive” and Rivermaya’s “Himala”, it’s a fun-filled and nostalgic road trip movie back to your teen years and those darn awful outfits.

eXistenZ

Freedom from: Reality itself

This is “Master of the Messed-up” David Cronenberg’s horrific take on society’s obsession with videogames. It is set in a dystopic future where humans can opt to have bio-ports (a USB-like panel on the spinal cord) where you can attach videogame consoles made out of mutated amphibian body parts. Sound fucked up? There’s more. Plugging in takes you on a reality-bending ride that blurs the lines between what’s real and what’s the game. When prime videogame designer Allegra Geller becomes the target of corporate thieves, assassins, and rebels of reality hell-bent on destroying the mind-altering, she must plug into her own game to see if there’s been any damage. It’s a philosophical mind-fuck that will expand your view of the world. Discover that reality is virtual and there’s nothing better than a Cronenberg film to distort everything you’ve come to believe in.

Shawshank Redemption

Freedom from: Maximum-security prison

We can’t have a list of freedom-fueled movies without this classic. When inmates Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) form a friendship inside prison, it is through their acts of goodwill that they attain the ultimate freedom. It’s hard to explain what goes on in the film without ruining the ending, so all we can divulge is that it’s a movie strewn from numerous emotions, but what permeates the most is that undying sense of hope. See it, shed a tear, and be thankful for the liberty you almost always take for granted.

Jose Rizal

Freedom from: Oh you know, those Spanish conquistadors

Marilou Diaz Abaya’s epic rendition of the National Hero’s story was the most expensive Filipino movie of its time when it debuted at the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival. Imprisoned in Fort Santiago, Jose Rizal (Cesar Montano) forms a sympathetic friendship with an artillery lieutenant. His last days are juxtaposed with that of Andres Bonifacio (Gardo Versoza) and the brewing uprising of the Katipuneros. Rizal’s execution serves as an inspiration and catalyst for the Philippine liberation, and nothing screams “freedom” like a heartfelt bayani story. You’ll be screaming “Kalayaan!” before it’s all over. An epic Independence Day to you all!