The 12 Definitive Films About the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution

As we commemorate the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution today, we remember the fallen heroes who came to shape modern-day democracy and the thousands of lives lost during Martial Law. We also remember the stories and perspectives that told the truths about the widespread violence, corruption, suppression, and poverty that plagued the nation during one of its darkest periods.

With this comes the celebration of the reclamation of our freedom and nationhood, as well as the events that inspired the uprising that ended the dictatorship, as read in books, heard in songs, and seen in pictures. Film, too, of course, is as powerful a medium as any to do this. From Lino Brocka to Chito S. Roño and others in between, some of the fiercest directors in the history of Philippine cinema have honored these tales in their pieces. And so have certain networks, from both local and international media, that chose to focus on the facts instead of false narratives.

So yeah, here are the 12 best films about the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Batch '81 (1982)

Regarded as one of the best Filipino films ever, Mike De Leon's Batch '81 tells the story of Martial Law through students who aspire to join a fraternity. It talks of power dynamics of the times, with family and school and fraternal bonds serving as metaphors for fascism.

Coup d’Etat: The Philippines Revolt (1986)

This television movie, brought to us by Peter Couchman, documents the four days of revolt that led to the toppling of tyranny during February 1986. It provides us with valuable insights on the events that needed to happen before the Marcoses' exile.

Marcos: A Malignant Spirit (1986)

Directed by Rolly Reyes, this documentary provides us with rare exclusive footage and recorded conversations that showcase how those who were in power during Martial Law systematically debilitated the Philippine economy to satisfy their greed.

Orapronobis (1989)

As one of the great Lino Brocka's finest, more understated pieces of work (for more mainstream viewers), the French-funded Orapronobis follows the story of a cult  under the leadership of Kumander Kontra in the obscure town of Dolores. Here, we get a film that not only openly criticizes the human rights abuses during the Marcos regime, but also the failures of the Aquino administration's neoliberalism.

Batas Militar (1997)

Batas Militar 1997. Color/109 minutes; with English Subtitles. A Production of the Eggie Apostol Foundation from Citizen Jake on Vimeo.

Batas Militar is a Filipino television documentary about Martial Law and the ouster movement against him. With a focus on dramatization, the film talks about human rights violations, the economy, as well as biographies of Ferdinand Marcos, his wife Imelda Marcos, and, of course, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. It featured an impressive cast of characters from the opposition, from Jovito Salonga to Satur Ocampo and more.

Curacha: Ang babaeng walang pahinga (1998)

From Chito S. Roño comes a retelling of the painful truths during post-EDSA Philippines. It was a time of political unrest and uncertainty for most of the nation (marred by the various coup attempts that would plague the late President Cory Aquino's administration). The film follows the story of a live sex performer who finds herself trapped in an "anomalous game of association between sex, life and death, and its political equivalent of sleaze, subservicence and power in drug-addled world." Couldn't have written that any better.

EDSA 2000 (2000)

In historian Xiao Chua's own words, this is "one of the best People Power documentaries" ever, and it's hard for us to disagree. The film offers us a concise and objective view of our political history through various cultural perspectives on EDSA. We get footage of key players, journalists, ordinary people, and anthropologists like Felipe de Leon, Jr. and F. Landa Jocano to talk about the revolution.

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Dekada '70 (2002)

This film shows us just how important the late great Lualhati Bautista's Dekada 70 was for the feminist movement in the Philippines. It tells the story of a middle-class, middle-aged woman in Manila named Amanda Bartolome, guiding her family through the cultural upheaval under Martial Law. 

Barber’s Tales (2013)

A tale of self-discovery during a time of political unrest, Barber's Tales has us following newly-widowed Marilou, played by the venerable Eugene Domingo, as she takes on her late husband's job as community barber during the end of Marcos era. This is Jun Lana's second installment in a trilogy that focused on small-town life in the Philippines. Domingo would bag the Best Actress Award at the 2013 Tokyo International Film Festival for this film.

Portraits of Mosquito Press (2015)

JL Burgos takes us into the mosquito press movement during a regime that worked tirelessly to suppress dissent. It's a documentary about the history and struggle of press freedom in the Philippines.

Liway (2018)

Now how can we forget about a film like Liway? It's effectively canon now. Director Kip Oebanda brings us a powerful feature on imprisoned parents trying to raise their child inside a prison camp for rebels during the Marcos years. It's a harrowing watch, to say the least. The film provides us with a very real portrayal of the rampant evil and indoctrination that persisted even during the last days of Martial Law.

Imelda & Ferdinand: Exile in Hawaii Documentary (2019)

Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos' exile in Hawaii was one of the largest political scandals to shake up the United States in its modern history. This documentary showcases how the Marcoses' power and privilege came at the expense of the Filipino people. Also shown here is their life on foreign soil, and how desperate they were to stage their comeback, as well as the family's delusions and crimes.

Any other films about the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution we may have missed? Feel free to add some of your own recommendations below to expand this list.