Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Amigo - a Film of Revelation

Satisfactory Essays
356 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Amigo - a Film of Revelation
Amigo – A Film of Revelation
Introduction
American rule over the Philippines left the majority of Filipinos a deep scar of the feeling of humiliation because of getting from them their liberty and freedom. But, looking at the other side of the coin, it also left us things that are still beneficial until these days as portrayed in the film Amigo.
Purpose of the director A question was formed to my mind during watching the film Amigo – what was the purpose of the director, John Sayles, to do this kind of film? After taking a while thinking of some possible answers, I ended up with this conclusion – I think he wants to portray how American regime ruled over the country and how Filipinos responded into it.
One thing is that when those colonizers took possession of this country, many revolutionary groups were formed. How come this happened? Those people really did not agree with the way those Americans controlled the Philippines. They even questioned the reasons of colonizing this country because on the other way around, we had then a form of government, and our way of living was good even before those colonizers came to this country. That’s why many revolutionary groups were formed. The form of government they introduced to us was democratic - the way of freely expressing one’s thought or idea and one can freely choose who they want to be their leader. Rafael, the protagonist in the story, said that he would only enjoy this new form of government when the Americans leave their barrio. Yes, this kind of government is still what we Filipinos have nowadays, and we are freely using this will the American colonizers brought us.
Problems I noticed I saw some sort of problems regarding this film. Some lines were inaudible and also other language was used that’s why I wasn’t able to understand what’s going on with the story. It’s better if it has subtitle.
Theme
Language of the Filipinos had been a problem to the Americans. John Sayles portrayed in the film the Filipinos taking advantage and making fun of the American’s innocence of our language.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Spanish have been a monarchy enforcing their laws and customs upon their colonies since the fifteenth century, so the United States should come to the aid of the filipino people by assisting in setting up a democratic government. Recently, America assisted in liberated the island nation of Cuba from spanish rule. The Cubans were tired of the unfair taxation inforced by the Spanish, as well as having no say in the way they are governed. If the Cubans felt this way about the Spanish, the Filipino people have similar feelings about the Spanish rule. The Spanish monarchy is a in complete control of the Philippines and as the proponent of democracy it is the American duty to share this wonderful political gift with nations that are deprived of their natural right to choose how their lands are governed. Recently, the United States government has been an ambassador of democracy in the the Dominican Republic. This country attempted to bring itself out of a tyrannical government on their own, but their effort was futile. The United States took over the Dominican’s government for a short period of time to help assist them in establishing a democracy. The United States has the ability to bring the most modern and socially responsible form of government to…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Anti-Imperialist League paid more attention to American citizens and a drawn empathy for the Filipinos and their human rights given to all people under God. They are reaching out one citizen to another. The League specifically address U.S. citizens by inviting both “men and women who remain loyal to the declaration of independence and the constitution of the United States” to fight for the freedom of the Filipinos because,…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Annexed the Philippines

    • 672 Words
    • 1 Page

    non­white Filipinos could one day have a role in the American government. The US went for the…

    • 672 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Spanish American War Dbq

    • 506 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Imagine fighting for freedom against a country that won’t listen to you and treats you with cruelty. You don’t have much military power, so this other, more powerful country helps you gain independance. However, as soon as you win, the country that helps turns around and puts you in the same situation, just with them instead of the original country. This is what it was like in the Philippines! Before the Spanish-American war, the Philippines were a territory of Spain, along with some other countries like Cuba and Puerto Rico. Spain mistreated the people of these territories. They moved them into camps, that had shelters with no roofs. If they didn’t get there in time, they were executed. The United States stepped in and went to war with Spain for the independance of these territories. When we won the war, we got control of these…

    • 506 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Zinn Chapter 12 Essay

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages

    President McKinley thought it was wise to spread the fortune and good interests of Americans to the Philippine nations. The Americans took them all to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize them, and Christianize them. It seemed that McKinley’s sole purpose for the brutal treatment of the Filipinos was to civilize them. It was this idea that was presented and accepted by the American public. It was not accepted so lightly by the Filipino people. The idea of a country across the Pacific ruling them was unthinkable. They rose in revolt against the United States. Everything…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The freedom for the Philippines came from the blood shed on the battlefield between the Spanish and American armies. It all started in the year of 1898. The United States was fed up with the horrible treatment the Philippines and Cuba was getting from the Spanish. Later on, in 1899, the U.S. defeated the Spanish and won over the two territories. It was decided to let Cuba become its own country and annex the Philippines. The U.S. should not have annexed the Philippines because it is against the constitution, the U.S. was being hypocritical and Abe Lincoln didn’t want it.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The imperialism occurring in the Philippines because of American control, and difficult social and political conditions Filipino migrants faced…

    • 303 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The U.S. soldiers believed that the Filipinos were unable to civilize themselves like monkeys. We didn’t lead them to civilization, we controlled them. For example when we beat the Spanish in Cuba, we forced laws into the their Constitution to keep them bound by our rules. Another example was shown through a political cartoon. This cartoon was drawn by Victor Gillam in 1899 and it shows that America has to be like the British and carry the uncivilized counties to civilization on their back.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imperialism

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Arguments from the Anti-Imperialist League were very strong and influential against the takeover of the Philippines by the United States. Anti-Imperialists denounced subjugation and suppression of what should be free people as a debauchery of American principles. The takeover of the Philippines went against the American belief system that it is derived from the Declaration of Independence (WW Norton Publishing, 2007). This action created a grievous heresy of the United States. The choices and actions the United States were enforcing were negatively representing the country, and in conflict with the “self-governing” principle of the United States, because a country supporting self-directed government should not be taking over a country against its will. Stated by Abraham Lincoln, “No man is good enough to govern another man without that man’s consent.” (WW Norton publishing, 2007). The Anti-Imperialistic League deplored these despotic and abhorrent actions in the Philippines. By taking over the Filipinos and forcing their way…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Arguments were made that America was acting more like a imperialistic country as opposed as a free country. After the Spanish American war America gained several new territories. The people of these territories welcomed America with open arms. The territories were ruled by Imperialist Spain with an iron fist and people felt liberated. .. The Philippines were one of the new territories acquired from Spain. Unfortunately, America began acting in an Imperialistic manner after an amendment failed to pass promising the Philippines independence after a stable government was formed. After a short period of time Filipinos felt America was overstaying there welcome. Tensions grew as America denied the Philippines their independence. America wanted…

    • 196 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Titanic: Film Summary

    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages

    About Titanic, you might say, “I really identified with Jack. He’s a free spirit. He doesn’t have any money, but he’s traveled all over the world looking for adventure. Maybe he finds more adventure than he wants on Titanic, but he’s strong and true to his principles.”…

    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The assessment of the relationship of the Republic of the Philippines and the United States can be traced from the long history of colonization of the latter to the former state. Since both countries struggled to defeat the Japanese during the Second World War, it made the transition of independence easier and was even satisfying to both nations (Stephens, 1981, p.30). This strategic decision paved the way to create a "special" relationship between the US and the Philippines, a relationship that was beneficial to both countries. It was useful for the Philippines, since it continued to face internal turmoil after WW II. On the other hand, the special relations of US with the Philippines was useful for its battle against global communism.…

    • 2721 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Brindage Act 1902

    • 315 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The First Philippine Republic or the Malolos Republic was established along with the proclamation of the Malolos Constitution. This was said to be the end of the Spanish rule. First President Emilio Aguinaldo changed the revolutionary government to a dictatorial and later went back to the revolutionary government.…

    • 315 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The United states now won the Spanish-American war. Now what? Continuing to take more, this was American's supreme goal. The reason the U.S. "purchased" Philippines because this was cheaper than continuing war with the Spanish. However, U.S seems to be putting threats on Philippines rather than colonizing them. Disagreements rose amongst the Filipino, and this is where the U.S. policy comes in.…

    • 537 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    RIZAL

    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Spanish Manila was seen in the 19th century as a model of colonial governance that effectively put the interests of the original inhabitants of the islands before those of the colonial power. As John Crawfurd put it in its History of the Indian Archipelago, in all of Asia the "Philippines…

    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays