Sakada

Sagada tells the story of a rich haciendero family who manages a large sugar cane farm, where the remnants of the family of the former leader of the farm's union lives and tries to survive the difficult situation they are in. When one of the son's of the haciendero falls head over heals with one of the sugar farmer's daughter - things falls apart into a climactic shootouts between the poor farmers AND the thugs of the Haciendero in what I assume was the former Canlubang Haciendas.

I get and admire what it tries with its topic, but the story really leaves a lot to be desired. Firstly, I think mixing themes of Catholic guilt, Sexism over the real problems of the Sugar Farmer really mixed my emotions over it. Like how they handled Koronel's corruption is quite saddening. She practically was scarlet letter'd out of the family even though she is trying to mitigate with them. I also did not like how the end seems to points toward anti-union sentiments.

It does not hit the levels that say Brocka, Abaya or (the few good) Bernal hits when they try this heavy ironic endings. The farmer just seems hapless AND unlike their masterworks, there is a weird disjunct it its messaging and its morality. The escape is unseen and barely discernable for all films and the characters are self-hating and self-demeaning. Even when given a chance for escape, they are unwilling AND are heavily on guards with their own biases and prejudice. It never really shows a possible escape AND it feels so mean to the farmers in the end.

Also, very long and detailed for such a short wind up. This can definitely be halved in length.

Not my cup of tea.