Amidst fears involving historical revisionism and dismissals of history as merely “chismis,” it’s important that our students are equipped with the truth. The University of the Philippines Film Institute seeks to do just that through its upcoming courses on Martial Law and cinema. There will be four Special Topics open to all UP Diliman students enrolled for the first semester of the academic year 2022-2023. Check them out below.

Film 196: The Semiotics of Martial Law and Its Cinema

by Prof Nick Deocampo

As the course title itself suggests, this will be all about using semiotics, or the study of signs and symbols, to digest films during the military regime and the period leading to the overthrow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

This course will also introduce the study of alternative cinema and how the then-young generation of filmmakers took a stand in creating new cinema during a time of political chaos.

Film 196: HORRORS!

by Prof. Ed Cabagnot

Prof. Cabagnot’s course will delve into the art and craft of Philippine horror films, particularly, covering historical highlights and modern-day trends. This course will also give special emphasis on Asian, ASEAN, and Pinoy horror cinema.

Film 196: Martial Law and Pinoy Cinema, Noon at Ngayon

by Prof. Sari Dalena

This introductory film course will explore films produced during martial law as well as works about the tumultuous period made in the post-Martial Law era. There will also be a culminating activity that’s a collab among students to produce a short video about Martial Law.

FILM 180: Cinema, Martial Law and Historical Revisionism

by Professor Roland Tolentino

Last on the list of UP Film Institute courses on martial law is one that hits closer to the present. This course explores cinema produced during the period and examines how political cinema is now being used for historical revisionist projects.

For more information on the courses, follow UP Film Institute on Facebook.

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