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ML (film)

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Wikipedia article




'ML' is a 2018 Philippine independent psychological horror film written and directed by Benedict Mique Jr., starring Eddie Garcia as a retired METROCOM Colonel suffering from Alzheimer's disease, leading him to believe that he is still living in the days of Ferdinand Marcos' dictatorship. He mistakes a visiting student, played by Tony Labrusca, as an activist resisting the Martial Law, and captures and tortures the student, just as he did to activists back in the 1970s. The film was released on August 3, 2018 at the 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Along with Kip Oebanda's 'Liway', it is one of two Cinemalaya 2018 films featuring social commentary about the martial law, continuing the tradition of 2017's 'Respeto' in light of the 2016 burial of Ferdinand Marcos and the rise of his children Bongbong and Imee Marcos in Philippine politics.

Plot



Carlo (Tony Labrusca), a pro martial law millennial student, interviews retired Colonel Dela Cruz (Eddie Garcia) about his experience and service under the Marcos regime during the martial law days. Unbeknownst to Carlo, the Colonel is actually delusional and psychopathic in nature.

Just as when the interview was starting at the Colonel's home, he strikes Carlo in the head causing him to be unconscious. When Carlo woke up, he finds himself strapped on a chair in the basement. Confused of what was happening, he demanded to be cut loose by the Colonel but is only answered with physical battery. He is later tortured in numerous ways by the delusional Colonel while asking him questions that he has entirely no clue what's about. His best friend Jace and girlfriend Pat are later lured into the same basement through deceiving text messages. All three of them were tortured in front of each other. Both Carlo and Jace were beaten-up and electrocuted. Jace was water-boarded and later murdered by Russian-roulette. Pat was tied up and was burned with cigarettes on her private parts and was also sexually violated with a bottle.

Jace's corpse was later thrown on a pavement with a sign that says Huwag tularan, pusher ( to make him look like a casualty in Duterte's drug war. Only Carlo and Pat were able to escape. They were able to report their case to the police but Colonel Dela Cruz was acquitted of any charges because there was no substantial evidences found that can be used against him.

Hungry for justice, Carlo goes back to the Colonel's home one night and plans to kill him. He is able to slip into the house but only to find out that the old Colonel has already died in his sleep.

Cast



* Eddie Garcia as Colonel dela Cruz

* Tony Labrusca as Carlo

* Lianne Valentin as Pat

* Henz Villaraiz as Jace

* Jojit Lorenzo

* Rafa Siguion-Reyna

* Chanel Latorre

* Chrome Cosio

* Jindric Macapagal

See also



* List of films about martial law in the Philippines

* Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command

* 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival

* Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival

* Liway

* Respeto

References




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