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  • Essay / Government Corruption and Violence: Erik Matti's Ideological Analysis at Work

    Filipino films have progressed over the years, moving from one specific genre to another. It all started in 1897, with the emergence of “silent films”. These films, projected in black and white, were able to present and influence the culture and beliefs of the people of that period. Over time, different changes in films became evident, such as their colors and themes. They were able to shed light on certain issues in the country, such as the colonization of Spain and Japan, the World War and the controversial martial law. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original EssayEarly Filipino films were initially introduced by foreign industrialists, as well as Western colonizers like America and Europe . Documentary films were shown in Manila in 1897, along with the influx of silent films. In 1912, films about Jose Rizal emerged, with the rise of artists like Edward M. Gross and Albert Yearsley. This motivated local artists to enter the film industry in the Philippines, so that they could express their stories like these artists did. This situation had worsened during the "artistic breakthrough" of films in the golden age of Philippine cinema in the 1950s, where the cinematographic techniques of filmmakers had developed. However, this breakthrough had deteriorated with the arrival of foreign films with "violence and gentleness". central sex” as the main theme. These films were produced on a high budget and mainly aimed at higher profit. This has led to a decline in local film production, not only because of the change in market preference, but also because of the lack of artistic motivation among filmmakers to create films that will meet audience demand. At present, Filipino films, mainly focused on mainstream films, are mostly for-profit and commercialized. Also described as the "Third Golden Age of Philippine Cinema", this era fostered diversity in cinematic styles and genres. Independent films, which have relatively lower budgets and are mostly sponsored by private institutions or organizations, are beginning to gain recognition at different film festivals and other film institutions. Different filmmakers are using this opportunity to create contemporary films with genres and themes that meet the demand of the new generation. Ideological Film Theory Ideological film theory is rooted in ideology, a "body of ideas reflecting the social needs of an individual, group, class, and culture." In 1796, this term was invented by Antoine Destutt de Tracy. It also focuses on our social understanding of the world, as well as the beliefs present in our society and how these shape our culture. Through the formation of ideologies, we are able to recognize the explicit and implicit meanings manifested in the films, and how they may have presented these meanings. By exposing them to different perspectives regarding a certain culture or political belief, people would be able to easily interpret the symbols and meanings associated with certain ideologies in films. Additionally, these ideologies may represent the filmmaker's own beliefs, with the primary goal of expressing themselves and the stories they wish to share. Through the ideologies present in the film, we can form certain “hypotheses” that explain the truth of a film. certain value or belief. Whereasthese assumptions are universal, we tend to associate them with the values ​​and beliefs existing in our society, thus being able to compare the ideologies of the film to the reality of our own culture. It can also help us evaluate the things we should value, as well as our motivations for establishing our own beliefs. Thus, by using different "narrative techniques and rhetorical devices", the films would be able to fully depict the true meaning of ideology. Erik Matti's On the Job On the Job is a crime thriller film directed by Erik Matti, which illustrates different social issues facing the country is facing. This included, among other things, questions about government corruption, violence and abuse of power. With a simple plot and a bit of suspense, this film was able to shed light on the various crimes and political atrocities present in the Philippines. Its central theme centered on government corruption and violence, represented by the conflict between politicians and police officers. Daniel and Mario, the main characters of the film, are paid to commit different crimes outside the prison due to certain orders from their boss Thelma. Because their lives depended on it, they had to willingly follow their orders so that they could support themselves and their families while incarcerated. One of the ideologies present in the film is the abuse of power and government corruption, presented by politicians who strive to protect their image and hide their crimes from the general public by manipulating the police force. This was made possible by paying prisoners to kill those who attempted to reveal their secrets. One can see how this ideology explains how powerful politicians can be when it comes to controlling different institutions in the country and manipulating people into committing heinous crimes and covering up their corrupt acts. Furthermore, politicians control the lower class people because they have the power to manipulate them using money, which is a necessity for these people. For example, General Pacheco's desire to reach a higher position in the government pushed him to perform such actions to be able to gain more support from the general public. It can also show how unfair society is in treating the lower class. , in which they always find themselves on the wrong side of the justice system. The parallelism between Daniel and Atty. Coronel's actions exposed how "dirty" and unfair the political system is and the reality that those who prefer to do what is right find themselves in tragedy. This can also be explained by the death of both characters. It can also be seen that Joaquín Acosta remained in his position and was not promoted despite all his efforts to resolve different cases and maintain a fair attitude within the police force. It is therefore evident that government corruption and abuse of power affects different social classes and manipulates people's beliefs and perceptions regarding the justice system and government in general. Furthermore, the film shows how violence remains endemic in society, not only due to the influence of drugs, but also because of different motivating factors that push people to harm others. This ideology gave rise to the idea that violence is “normal” and inevitable. The film shows different forms of violence, mainly represented by the heinous crimes committed by Mario and Daniel. We can also see how Daniel was trained to become an assassin, sacrificing innocent people so that he could deal with his insecurities and "be ready" to participate in.