Batch '81 (1982)

“A MARVEL OF A FILM, A MASTERPIECE OF PHILLIPINE CINEMA” – TIMOTHY ONG

Often described as a Philippines’ Clockwork Orange, Mike De Leon’s drama, set in an unnamed university follows new student Sid Lucero through his initiation into the Alpha Kappa Omega fraternity.

The “hazing” initiations take place over six months and become increasingly sadistic and humiliating. The totalitarian - even fascistic - metaphor is impossible to miss as the progressive loss of individual liberty starts to mirror the oppressive martial law of the Marcos regime.

“Rich with symbolism…the chanting alone resembles a fascist anthem and echoes the New Society theme of the Marcos dictatorship, which was four years away from its downfall when this film was released”.

• Ricky Torre

Introduced by Quentin Turnour, Film Archivist, Curator, Cinema Reborn programming consultant and Project Officer at the Audiovisual Preservation Section of the National Archives of Australia.

To read Tony Rayns and Noel Vera's notes on Batch '81, click here. 

Rating

MA15+

Language

Tagalog, Filipino

Cast

Mark Gil, Sandy Andolong, Ward Luarca

Director

Mike De Leon