Recommended Movies
As well as being a history
buff, I like movies, especially old movies, like they show on AMC. Perhaps
those movies are history in themselves? Anyway, for those of you who are new to
intercultural relationships, especially with Filipinas, there are a few movies
which I feel are worth looking for at your local video store. These are movies
that in some manner deal with intercultural romance, or with the history of the
Pacific region, or which were shot on location in the Philippines. I'm not
saying these are all great movies (though I like them all), but I am suggesting
that if you've never been romantically involved with someone from another
culture, you might see some issues addressed in these films which you will
encounter yourself at some point.
* Sayanora (1957),
starring Marlon Brando. In this movie Brando plays an Air Force pilot who is
tasked to dissuade another serviceman from marrying a Japanese girl. Brando not
only fails to dissuade this fella from marrying the girl, he horrifies his
Caucasian peers and former girlfriend by falling in love with a Japanese actress
himself. Apparently, in this time and setting, a Caucasian All-American war
hero just didn't do that kind of thing. The extent to which the Air Force, his
superiors, and his former girlfriend's family will go to prevent intercultural
relationships leads to tragedy. When I first saw this movie I was reminded very
much of those lengthy speeches the Navy and Marine brass used to give folks like
me before we went on liberty in the Philippines - there was always the
implication that we shouldn't get involved with the local Filipinas because,
well, they just wouldn't fit in back home. Have some fun now, sure, but don't
get too attached. It was nothing short of cultural prejudice. And this film
captures it perfectly. Don't think that such prejudice doesn't still exist
today, at least in some areas of the country.
* 55 Days In Peking
(1963), staring Charlton Heston. In addition to being a great historic piece,
this movie offers you two things. First, because it is set during the 1900
Boxer Rebellion in China, it is concurrent with the American conquest of the
Philippines that began in 1899. This means that the American soldiers in this
movie are wearing the same uniforms and brandishing the same weapons as those
troops fighting in the Philippines, not too far away, at the exact same time.
You could even theorize that the troops in this movie might have been
transferred over from the Philippines to China. Second, there are some poignant
scenes where an Amerasian child, a little girl, greets her returning American
father (her Chinese mother has died), and how she later asks Heston, his friend,
to take her to America when she learns that her father has been killed in the
fighting. Heston's performance is spectacular as he tries to explain to the sad
girl how things are "different" in America...his way of saying an Amerasian girl
wouldn't be accepted by American society. It's really a very touching scene as
Heston realizes that the girl doesn't understand race issues, and how he is now
the only man alive who can possibly help her.
* The World of Suzy Wong
(1958): In this movie an American expatriate in Hong Kong falls in love with
the Chinese model he has hired to pose for his paintings. His western peers
treat the relationship as one of pure folly at first, but eventually the crush
of an English girl on the American, and her disbelief that the man would choose
a Chinese girl over her, leads to cultural conflict.
* Goodbye America is a
recent movie about the last days of the American naval base at Subic Bay. It's
a fictional story, but it was filmed on location (after the base was closed) and
it has some real talent in it - for example, Michael York, James Brolin, and
several top (and drop-dead beautiful) Filipina actresses. In this movie, an
American is in love with a Filipina, but marrying her means potentially giving
up a promising naval career, as well as a stunningly beautiful American fiancée
who flies to the Philippines to confront him on the issue. Oh yeah, and his dad
(York) is a powerful politician who does not want his son marrying a girl who
isn't American, isn't white, and who the father believes wants nothing more than
an easy ticket to the U.S. This movie was actually produced by ABS-CBN, the
Filipino media giant.
* Apocalypse Now
(1979): Okay, you've all seen this one. Great movie, I mention it only because
it was shot in the Philippines, using then-President Ferdinand Marco's military
helicopters for many of the scenes. Heart of Darkness, a documentary about the
making of Apocalypse Now, is also a wonderful movie that shows the trials and
tribulations that the cast and crew suffered while filming the movie in the
Philippines.
* Heaven and Earth is
recommended by asawa Sam J. and his wife, Luz. Sam, a minister, says that the
movie, (which I've not seen yet - but will soon!) is "based on the real life of
Phung Thi Le Ly Hayslip born in the small Vietnam village Ky La. The film
chronicles her life through incredible ups and downs following her through
significant relationships personal tragedies and the like. The segment that
deals with her marriage to a Recon Marine Sergeant, Tommy Lee Jones is
priceless. It follows their relationship from the courtship, marriage,
transition to the US, family life, cultural clashes and unresolved pasts.
Definitely a worthy film for anyone considering marry someone of another culture
or anyone interested in befriending persons of other cultures with respect, and
sensitivity. A must see in my book."