Marlan T.

Magdalaga STEM 12-13

A Critique for a Film Entitled “Bida”

The film entitled “Bida” by Khavn Dela Cruz focused on the life of Bayani S. Makapili
and his adoration for an action star. Formally, the actor’s name itself Bayani S. Makapili means
hero and villain thus the main attention was on act of heroism and grievous crimes. The movie had
an old-style dim setting and the music background was classic instrumental, sometimes an original
lyrical composition. The background music helped the action scenes to be more hyped while the
musical scenes made the film less serious. There was a usage of genres such as comedy, action,
drama, and musical. On the other hand, it applied the principle of in medias res wherein the story
began with the middle of crucial events using series of grayscale pictures with narration. This style
was used to captivate the attention of the audience. The film also made use of different endings
and give the audience the opportunity to choose from their preferred conclusion.

Art is the indispensable means for the merging of the individual with the whole. We
desire to fulfil our unfulfilled lives through other forms. Bayani S. Makapili was extremely
absorbed with the action movies of Bida. He used the films to escape from his unfortunate state
with the abuse of his father as a kid. He longed for a hero to save from his ill-fated state. Thus, he
wanted to be like Bida, a savior of the poor. In the age of mechanical reproduction, a work of art
was easy to reproduce; Bayani used this to watch the action films starring his favorite action star.
He took possession of Idol’s experiences that might potentially be his own. He was captivated, and
he really felt what being a hero is; truly art lets the audience get inside it. I, as an audience was
also inclined, and I truly felt the artwork. Watching the film, for Bida and also myself, art made to
create a universally human audience. It prevented the division of the social classes, it only focused
on the entertainment and essence of the work of art.

Art derives its vitality from which it springs, and it engages with the issues of its time.
The act of various criminalities was shown in the film: hostage-taking, robbery, murder, rape, and
child and woman abuse. The film was effective to present those significant issues that needs the
society’s attention, it brought the “woke” politics of the time. However, Bida and Bayani became
a representation of heroism, that this bravery must not be only possible on TV or in movies. This
can become a reality. The film conveyed a fundamental, value-producing, and value-conveying
aspect, it cannot set itself apart from human and social meaning.

The film used a surrealistic approach. The film explored, disclosed, and imitated the inner
works of our subconscious mind through a unique imagery. One of the scene of the film, the main
character ate a whole cat. It was a result of desperateness with coping up with his family’s death.
Another scene, bayani sat for a long time and as he waited white beard made with cotton grew
from his face. Also, the idea of Bida going from fictional to the real world. Then. at the end the
duo willingly jumped through a television, different cinematic scenes were played out before their
eyes. The film utilized this technique to convey the atmosphere and incongruous state of dreams.