Guerra, Kazzandra Alexa P.

10/10/2023

ABM22 CPAR

LIVE FREE, LIVE LIFE: A FILM REVIEW OF “LIWAY” 2018

This film, Liway, starred by Glaiza De Castro, Kenken Nuyad, and Dominic Roco, is a 2018
Filipino Independent movie that tackles about the life struggles of a young boy, Dakip, who grew
up inside the prison, living as a son of the Commander Liway and Commander Toto, who are
against by the will of the Marcoses. It was written and directed by Kip Oembanda under VY/AC
Productions, which have also become a nominee for the 14th Cinemalaya Film Festival. This
fascinating film is a Drama movie where it shows the elements of serious topics and real-life
situations in which gives us emotionally-driven experiences throughout watching the film.

As the film goes by, the plot focuses on the situations that have taken place during the
dictatorship of the late president, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., as a lot of individuals are forced by
obligating the power of Martial Law. This movie also highlighted those against people by labelling
them as the rebels of the Philippines, for they disagree on how the Marcoses regulate the
government. With Commander Liway, who is the rebel leader, loving wife to her husband,
Commander Toto, and a mother to her children, including Dakip, she showed her own love and
dedication upon standing up for human rights and just, for the independency, and as the voice of
the Filipinos, who were once silenced by the cruelty system. With Dakip, who is innocent and very
joyful son of Liway, he was honestly affected by their situation and yet still understands their
purpose of them fighting for their freedom and peace. Despite on them having difficulties inside
the prison, what satisfies the film is, they still have the strongest unity relationship to face and
overcome all their misfortunes and sticked up with the positive mindset for them to not easily give
up and bring high hopes to survive. Up until the film reached to its ultimate climax where they
finally met the fresh breeze of freedom, Dakip was able to bring back his smiles on his face and
continued his parents’ legacy of helping people to have knowledge regarding with the history, by
making films which have turned out to be him as the director of this movie. In general, the storyline
is really heartfelt and emotional-driven whichever makes the film more captivating and learning
material, most especially for the youth.

Afterall, the film was excellently executed and made it won as the Best Indie Movie in 2019
during the Star Awards. Starting off with the casts, Glaiza De Castro, who portrayed as the
“Commander Liway”, she perfectly fits the main role as she showed off her best principles in
acting which made her recognized as the Best Actress of the Year in 2019 during the FAMAS
Awards, Gawad Urian Awards, and Star Awards. Next stop, Kenken Nuyad, who portrayed as the
young boy Dakip, he was surprisingly recognized as the Movie Child Performer of the Year in
2019 during the Star Awards and Special Jury Award in 2018, as he gave justice on portraying the
character of Dakip and made the film somehow entertaining. Then with Dominic Roco, who played
as the “Commander Toto”, a husband to Liway, and a father to Dakip, he also did a great job for
portraying his supporting role in this film, though he was calm and relaxed at the movie, but still,
he gave justice on his role. All I can say is that, the characters in the set were perfectly chosen and
really had a job well done for making the film majestic. Not just with that, I would also want to
commend the production set of the movie; the cinematography, quality, and effects, it was truly
amazing that made it look more realistic as usual. With the song choice to support and balance the
mood of the film, it was also a perfect choice for the production as it relates with the given concerns
showing in the film, as well with the script. Overall, the movie was superb and worth watching!
They have left a lot of lessons to learn and it is indeed an eye opener for us people to be awakened
from the reality.