This is a list of films that deals with topics about the 1972–1981 martial law under Ferdinand Marcos. Various filmmakers made films that directly deal with the political atmosphere, provide social commentary, or chronicle the life of Filipinos during the period. Most of the feature films circle on the struggles and human rights abuses during the oppressive state of the government at that time.
Feature films Year Title DirectorWriter Notes 1975 Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (Manila in the Claws of Light) Lino BrockaEdgardo M. Reyes (original story); Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. (screenplay)1976 Sakada Behn CervantesOscar Miranda (story); Lualhati Bautista (screenplay) Nunal sa Tubig Ishmael BernalJorge Arago Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? Eddie RomeroEddie Romero and Roy Iglesias Insiang Lino BrockaMario O'Hara (story); Mario O'Hara and Lamberto E. Antonio (screenplay)1978TadhanaNonoy MarceloNonoy Marcelo (screenplay) 1980 Manila By Night Ishmael Bernal Ishmael Bernal and Ricardo Lee 1981 Kisapmata Mike de Leon Quijano de Manila (story); Mike de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio (screenplay) 1982 Batch '81 (Alpha Kappa Omega) Mike de Leon Mike de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio Relasyon Ishmael Bernal Ricardo Lee and Raquel Villavicencio 1983 Oliver Nick Deocampo Nick Deocampo 1984 Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim Lino Brocka Jose F. Lacaba and Jose Carreon (story); Jose F. Lacaba (screenplay) Sister Stella L. Mike de Leon Mike de Leon, Jose F. Lacaba and Jose Almojeula 1985 Scorpio Nights Peque Gallaga Rosauro Q. de la Cruz Anak Ko... Lando Diego Cagahastian Biographical film about Rolando Galman 1986 Bagong Hari Mario O'Hara Frank Rivera Paano Kita Malilimutan Vittorio Romero 1988 Sa Dulo ng Baril Jerry O. Tirazona Jerry O. Tirazona A Dangerous Life Robert Markowitz David Williamson 1989 Fight for Us Lino Brocka Jose F. Lacaba 1995 Eskapo Chito Roño Roy Iglesias and Jose F. Lacaba 2000 Pangarap ng Puso Mario O'Hara Rey de Castro and Mario O'Hara 2001 Batang West Side Lav Diaz Lav Diaz 2002 Dekada '70 Chito Roño Lualhati Bautista 2004 Evolution of a Filipino Family (Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino) Lav Diaz Lav Diaz 2006 Batas Militar Jess Lapid Jr. Jess Lapid Jr. and Henry Nadong (story); Henry Nadong (screenplay) 2007 Pisay Kanakan Balintagos (Auraeus Solito) Henry Grajeda 2009 Dukot (Desaparecidos) Joel Lamangan Bonifacio Ilagan 2010 Muli Adolfo Alix Jr. Jerry Gracio Sigwa Joel Lamangan Bonifacio Ilagan 2011 Ka Oryang Sari Lluch Dalena Sari Lluch Dalena and Keith Sicat 2012 Aparisyon Isabel Sandoval (credited as Vincent Sandoval) Isabel Sandoval and Jerry Gracio (story); Isabel Sandoval (screenplay) Erica Gonzales, "Director Isabel Sandoval Wants to Shed Light on Invisible Women", February 24, 2021, Harper's Bazaar 2013 Bukas na Lang Sapagka't Gabi Na Jet Leyco Jet Leyco and Norman Wilwayco Barber's Tales (Mga Kuwentong Barbero) Jun Lana Peter Ong Lim, Elmer Gatchalian, Benedict Mique and Jun Lana (story); Jun Lana (screenplay) Mga Anino ng Kahapon Alvin Yapan Alvin Yapan Burgos Joel Lamangan Ricardo Lee 2014 Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon Lav Diaz Lav Diaz 2016 Kusina Cenon Palomares and David Corpuz Cenon Palomares 2017 Respeto Treb Monteras Treb Monteras and Njel de Mesa 2018 Citizen Jake Mike de Leon Mike de Leon, Noel Pascual and Atom Araullo Ang Panahon ng Halimaw (Season of the Devil) Lav Diaz Lav Diaz ML Benedict Mique Jr. Benedict Mique Jr. Liway Kip Oebanda Kip Oebanda and Zig Dulay 2021 Katips Vincent Tañada Vincent Tañada 2022 Maid in Malacañang Darryl Yap Darryl Yap 2023 Oras de Peligro Joel Lamangan Joel Lamangan Ako si Ninoy Vincent Tañada Vincent Tañada 2025 Manila's Finest Raymond Red Michiko Yamamoto 2026 Edjop Katski Flores Katski Flores
Documentary films This includes feature-length documentary films and docudramas.
Year Title Director Notes 1977 Da Real Makoy Nonoy Marcelo 1983 Signos Mike de Leon 1986 Marcos: A Malignant Spirit Rolly Reyes1987 Revolutions Happen Like Refrains in a Song Nick Deocampo EDJOP Joe Cuaresma Beyond The Walls of Prison Lito Tiongson 1988 A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution Nettie Wild 1994 Why Is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow? Kidlat Tahimik 1997 Batas Militar Jon Red and Jeannette Ifurung 2003 Imelda Ramona Diaz 2009 The Last Journey of Ninoy Jun Reyes2012 1081 Kara David production by GMA News TV for the 40th Anniversary of Martial Law Declaration, hosted by Kara David Lest We Forget: Martial Law and its victims Ed Lingao production of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism 2013 The Guerilla Is A Poet Sari Lluch Dalena and Kiri Lluch Dalena2015 Portraits of Mosquito Press J Luis Burgos Dahling Nick Sari Lluch Dalena 2016 Forbidden Memory Teng Mangansakan2017 Alaala Adolfo Alix Jr. Produced by GMA Network History of the Underground Sari Lluch Dalena and Keith Sicat2019 The Kingmaker Lauren Greenfield U.S./Danish Production; Greenwich Entertainment 2022 11,103 Mike Alcazaren and Jeanette Ifurung
See also Cinema of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Films depicting Latin American military dictatorships Martial law in the Philippines Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos
References