GNED 04_GROUP 1_ FINAL PROJECT_ MOVIE ANALYSIS

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Don Severino de las Alas Campus

Indang, Cavite
(046) 8620-290/ (046) 4150-013 loc 221

www.cvsu.edu.ph

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT
MGA BABASAHIN HINGIL SA MGA KASAYSAYAN NG PILIPINAS

GNED04

MOVIE ANALYSIS TITLED:

HENERAL LUNA

a 2015 film by Jerrold Tarog

Submitted by:

Group II BSTM 1-2
Corpuz, Lady Arabela P.

Calderon, Edmalyn T.
Alipustain, Janine Fate Nicole C.

Borrero, Joyce Ann P.
Bocalan, Krizzy D.

Baisa, Aleli Emmanuelli S.
Cabizo, Jasmine J.

Billones, Glaiden Shayne D.
Ambata, Aldwin Jules

Submitted to:

Sir Richard Nova

June 2022

I. INTRODUCTION

a) TITLE
Heneral Luna (based on real historical accounts)

b) RELEASED DATE
September 9, 2015
October 23, 2015 – Cinema International Film Festival

c) DIRECTOR
Jerrold Tayag- is a Filipino film director, screenwriter,
producer, editor, and composer. He is best known for
directing Heneral Luna, who has a degree in music
composition from the College of Music at the University of
the Philippines Diliman

d) CAST

• John Arcilla as Heneral Antonio Luna
• Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo
• Epy Quizon as Apolinario Mabini
• Ketchup Eusebio as Pedro Janolino
• Lorenz Martines as Gen Tomas Mascardo
• Leo Martines as Pedro Paterno
• Mylene Dizon as Isabel
• Archie Alemania as Eduardo Rusca
• Carlo Aquino as Col. Vicente Enriquez
• Arron Villaflor as Joven Hernando
• Arthur Acuña as Manuel Bernal

II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

General Antonio's leadership of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the
Philippine-American War is shown in Heneral Luna, a historical biographical film. The
film begins with American forces entering Philippine territory and ends with Luna's
assassination. This film's release is timely since it depicts everything that was and is
wrong with our country at the moment. "Walang makakaangat sa batas," says the
speaker. "Kahit na ang presidente," says General Antonio Luna. He is known as a fiery
general who is described as an aggressive and severe military leader as well as a
devoted nationalist.

He stands by his ideals and is unconcerned about the consequences of his
conduct. He believes that no one is above the country's laws. Great attempts are made
in the film to safeguard the country from colonization. "Malaking trabaho pagkaisahin
ang bansang watak-watak," Gen. Antonio Luna told the reporter Joven. He desired to

alter the system and bring the Filipino people together. He believes that if the Filipino
people banded together, they could win the war. However, regionalism contributes to
this problem. The Spaniards utilized regionalism to divide the Filipinos. There are
Bisayas, Ilokanos, and so on. So, in a nutshell, there is no national unity. In many
methods, he attempted to unite the Filipino army.

III. ANALYSIS OF THE IMPORTANT HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The film is about our Filipino ancestors' determination to fight and cheerfully
sacrifice for the country. The primary figure, Heneral Antonio Luna, was portrayed as
the nationalistic leader of the Filipino army. The filmmakers were able to construct a
figure that is similar to us, to whom we can relate. The author wished for us to
demonstrate the true meaning of patriotism. General Luna demonstrated selflessness
and fearlessness, but the government was divided, requiring him to fight a more
fearsome foe than the American army: his own treacherous compatriots. The film
depicts how selfishness and a lack of collective togetherness and loyalty in society
have a negative impact on the country.

The film reminds us of the sacrifices and bloodshed made in order to obtain the
freedom and independence that we have long desired. In 1898 Spain 333 years rule
over the Philippine has collapsed rather than face humiliation from Filipino rebels
Spain sells the archipelago to the us for 20 million dollars as America prepare to claim
mee colony, Filipino argue against one another. During a cabinet meeting, members
of the elite discuss whether to trust American soldiers in the country. General Luna
wants to fight Americans, while Gen. Jose Alejandro agrees with Luna, but Pedro
Paterno, the cabinet's head, disagrees and claims Americans are good friends while
Filipino troops are told to stay away from Intramuros. Americans kill Filipino soldiers
at Sta. Mesa and invade San Juan, Paco, and other cities, while Manila is destroyed
and owned by Americans.

General Antonio Luna and his men went up against America, led by General
Arthur McArthur Jr. of the US 2nd Division Corps. Suddenly, the Americans
surrendered, but the war was not over. In the second conference, Felipe Buencamino
secretary of development expressed his desire to colonize with America, but General
Antonio Luna addressed him as a traitor to joining to Spain, and Luna and his troops
arrested Felipe Buencamino and Pedro Paterno. While preparing for a possible attack
on America, Luna sends a message to General Mascardo, a general in Pampanga
who was on a fist in Arayat. Luna asks Mascardo to return to his bagbag before the
Americans arrive, but Mascardo refuses. Due to a lack of manpower, Luna sought out
additional Filipinos in various locations to serve as troops, eventually gathering 4,000
Filipinos. As General Luna started to accumulate more troops for the preparation
against the Americans, General Mascardo refused to take orders from him because
he believed that General Luna did not have authority over him.

Their argument through telegram arises, making them almost confront them in
Guagua, Pampanga, but President Aguinaldo’s order arrives. While the two were in a
heated argument, the Americans attacked Bagbag and Quingua. That made General
Luna and the army immediately go to Bagbag. General Luna wanted to resign as head
of the Army because he heard that Buencamino and Paterno had been set free.
President Aguinaldo rejected his resignation because, together with Prime Minister
Mabini, they believed that he was the only one who could lead the army. General Luna
said that the only way that they could defeat the Americans was to erect a fortress in
the north, so the president agreed to it.

After some time, General Luna received a telegram from the headquarters of
the president in Cabanatuan, and although it was suspicious, General Luna went to
the headquarters with Roman and Rusca. After getting there, he discovered that
Aguinaldo was not there, and Buencamino was the only one in the office. An argument
between them started, and gunfire outside the office was heard. He went outside and
discovered that Captain Janolino and his troops were there and attacked him. General
Luna and Roman were killed, while Rusca was wounded. Buencamino said that he
was not involved in General Luna’s death. Moreover, the Americans published in their
newspaper that President Aguinaldo was the one behind the killings of General Luna,
but he denied sending a telegram to General Luna.

The Americans find the Philippines shameful because one of these Americans
said, "You killed the only general you have." referring to General Luna. Joven
Hernando, the interviewer, leaves a remarking question saying that why should
Filipinos kill fellow Filipinos? It is also the same as killing the freedom of the
Philippines. Finally, he reminisces all the messages that General Luna taught him
about how Filipinos should fight for the country. In a scene towards the end of the film,
the bodies of Luna and Román are dragged across the courtyard in a manner highly
reminiscent of the Spoliarium, a painting which has served as artistic icon of Filipino
nationalism, painted in 1884 by Luna's own brother, Juan Luna. The history behind
the movie as Antonio Luna, The Sportsman, The family man, and the patriot.

IV. CREATIVE ELEMENTS

• Dialogue
They used Filipino-English language for the dialogues. The Tagalog

used is spare and direct, with clipped syntax, unlike conversational
Filipino’s wordy indirection. The dialogue seems somber, studied rather
than spontaneous, often aphoristic, ponderous to the point of being self-
conscious. It moves at a slow, perhaps intended, stately pace—a
sarabande rather than graceful balitaw. Heneral Luna film was announce
as “a work of fiction based on facts,” the pic is framed around a series of
interviews granted by Luna to Jove Hernando (Arron Villaflor), a fictional
newspaper journalist. Threaded into the narrative at well-judged moments,
these lively conversations provide viewers with valuable insights into the
general’s personality and assist greatly in keeping track of the story’s
bulging inventory of characters and events. Much of Luna’s dialogue in

these sections is squarely aimed at encouraging local audiences to ask
questions about the evolution and identity of their nation, and to draw
parallels between contemporary political events and those in Luna’s
time. It’s clear from the outset that “Heneral Luna” is a very different
proposition from the majority of Filipino historical epics, which paint
fawning portraits of the nation’s founding fathers. The rasping
dialogue by Tarog and co-scripters Henry Francia and E.A. Rocha
presents a government wracked by chaos, disunity and the readiness
of key players to place personal interest ahead of the national interest
by accepting U.S. domination without a fight.

• Character

John Arcilla as Heneral Antonio Luna
John Arcilla will be excellent in this film. He delivers his lines with

self-confidence, never overacting in the way that many Filipino actors
do. And he brings genuine humanity as well as a really compelling
sense of madness, which brilliantly matches the subject's complexity

Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo
He did a good job portraying his character and you can see that

his acting is excellent. He also did a good job of lending actual
seriousness

Epy Quizon as Apolinario Mabini
He did an excellent job portraying his role, and his facial

expressions are nice that can be taken to the mixed emotions and
some of his lines will teach and inspire you.

Ketchup Eusebio as Pedro Janolino
He also did a good job. However, there is a moment when you

will be angry with him due to his role.

Lorenz Martines as Gen Tomas Mascardo
His acting is also a good job. But some of his facial expressions

need to be improved more. And just like the other actor in this movie,
you will be angry with him because for some of the reason due of his
role can trigger other audience

Leo Martines as Pedro Paterno
He also did a good job and just like ketchup Eusebio as Pedro

Janolino, you will be angry with him for some reason and due to his
role.

Mylene Dizon as Isabel
Her performance is excellent here, and she did a great job

portraying her character. And you can feel a love, and sadness over
her relationship with Heneral luna.

Archie Alemania as Eduardo Rusca
His acting here is also excellent, and his facial expression is also

good and you will be emotionally carried away by some of his scenes

Carlo Aquino as Col. Vicente Enriquez
His actions are also excellent and he was able to give life to his

character. And like the other artist, he also has a good facial
expression and the tone of his voice like the other artist can give a
good impact on the audience.

Arron Villaflor as Joven Hernando
Arron's portraying his character as Joven Hernando did a great

job because of his facial expression which gives innocent look. And
he also did a great job in portraying his character

Arthur Acuña as Manuel Bernal
He also did a fantastic job portraying his character, as he stated

that this is something new for him, so he’s acting here needs to be
more powerful because this is history, and like the other artists in the
film, his facial expressions are good, and the tone of his voice also
has a good impact on the audience.

• Use of color
The storytelling with the picturesque cinematography in Heneral

Luna played a huge role in depicting the Philippine-American war and
revolution. The right blending of warm color scheme and cool tone
color-grading gave a vintage atmosphere and mood of the classic
Philippines. Although the color-grading was not quite emphasized,
the color scheme of the film is composed of earth and nature tones
as the film was shooted in the forests and mountains. Likewise, to
Heneral Luna, the special effects for gunshots were realistic and
brought an action film vibe. The color they used in this film gives a
painting vibe in the Spoliarium painting of Juan Luna was a big
influence on the lighting and shadow.

• Camera Technique
It includes techniques including general scene composition, set

or site lighting, camera, lens, filter, and film stock selection, camera
angle and movements, and the integration of any special effects.

• Costume
The costumes of the generals, armies, women, and other casts

are shown just like how the people from the past wear clothes. It is
based on the lifestyle of the past era making the entire film let the
viewers feel that it is actually what they wearing during the Philippine-
American War.

• Mood and Tone
"Heneral Luna" is a well-done cinematic depiction of the man's life

as a soldier as his country faced its greatest crisis yet witnessing the
birth pains of its genesis as a nation after centuries of colonial rule. It
shows Filipino historical and cultural experience told boldly but
conscientiously, that is, with more than the usual degree of attention
paid to the essentials and the essential peripherals. From the
sweeping vistas of verdant land, down to the smallest detail on
uniform buttons, everything is laid out with almost reverent care.
Heneral Luna mirrors in a very clear and sharp tone, the Filipino
experience now.

It shoves us roughly into the realization that more than a hundred
years after Luna’s death, we have not changed. We, by our own
divisiveness, indecision and selfishness remain the greatest
saboteurs of our own progress. It is inevitable then that as Luna
vituperates on screen against the causes of his frustration, we who
have grown tired of struggling, feel a simultaneous inner rage boil
within us against ourselves and against a cultural system that
perpetuates internal strife. A number of visual motifs throughout film
have symbolic significance, particularly for audiences familiar with
the History of the period and Filipino culture. A Philippine
revolutionary flag is displayed prominently in the film's bookend
scenes, becoming dirtier and more ragged when the film reverts to
its framing device as the events of the film unfold.

The burning flag during the end credits is a poignant experience
for Filipino audiences, as flag-burning is not legal under the Flag and
Heraldic Code of the Philippines. In a scene towards the end of the
film, the bodies of Luna and Román are dragged across the courtyard
in a manner highly reminiscent of the Spoliarium, a painting which
has served as artistic icon of Filipino nationalism, painted in 1884 by
Luna's own brother, Juan Luna.

V. CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHIL. HISTORY

He was the founder of the first military academy in the
Philippines, established during the First Philippine Republic. He
was called the best Filipino military officer during the war. His
fierce defense, now called the Luna Line of Defense, made it
difficult for American troops in the provinces north of Talisay.
Because of his bravery, Luna was named director of War on
September 26, 1898.

He became famous for bravery, unusual style of fighting,
and strict discipline. Writing is Antonio Luna's hobby. He authored
El Nomatozario del Paerdismo which was published in Madrid in
1893. It was his greatest contribution to medical literature. He is
the founder of La Independencia and he also sends articles to
other newspapers. The biggest contribution of General Luna in
later part og 19th century is fighting for freedom and
independence of the filipino’s to the American colonizers

VI. REFERENCES
✓ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heneral_Luna
https://www.teacherph.com/heneral-luna-2015-movie-review/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/manunuripelikula.com/heneral-
luna/%3famp

✓ https://www.jerroldtarog.com/about

✓ https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/centro-escolar-university/social-
work/heneral-luna-film-review-and-reflection/20884619
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heneral_Luna
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-reviews-are-in-heneral-
luna-rules https://sg.style.yahoo.com/film-review-heneral-luna-
203253981.html

✓ https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ve
d=2ahUKEwjn47fyvbP4AhWSypQKHTReAngQFnoECAgQAQ&url=https%3A
%2F%2Fcorner4men.com%2Fentertainment%2Fcollection-of-heneral-luna-
famous-lines-which-is-the-most-striking-of-them-all-
ar243&usg=AOvVaw058c6hh8PRfKr2z0ulzsQw

"Mga kapatid, mayroon tayong mas malaking kaaway kaysa mga Amerikano....
Ang ating mga sarili."- Heneral Luna