Film Lens
Batas Militar is a documentary about martial law in the Philippines under Ferdinand Marcos and the subsequent People Power Revolution that led to his ouster. Directed by Jon Red and Jeannette Ifurung, the film combines dramatizations with interviews and archival footage to present a comprehensive view of the era. It covers human rights violations, the economic impact of martial law, and profiles of key figures such as Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos, and Benigno Aquino Jr.
The documentary was produced by the Foundation for Worldwide People Power, led by journalist Eugenia Apostol. It aired on ABS-CBN on September 21, 1997, marking the 25th anniversary of the martial law proclamation. The film has been recognized for its production quality, being the most expensive documentary in the Philippines at the time, and it won several awards including the KBP Golden Dove Award and a bronze medal at the New York Film Festival.
Why Watch
- •See interviews with key figures like Benigno Aquino Jr.
- •Find out about the human rights violations during martial law.
- •Watch dramatizations of significant historical events.
Did You Know
•The documentary aired on September 21, 1997, the 25th anniversary of martial law.
•Batas Militar was the most expensive documentary film produced in the Philippines.
•It won the KBP Golden Dove Award and the Gawad CCP Award in 1998.
•The film was screened at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in November 1998.
Perfect For
Philippine history enthusiastsHuman rights advocatesPolitical documentary fans