Justice or Revenge? Morality and Power in Babae at Baril
- deskvalor
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
by Patrichsia Mamaril
Introduction
Rae Red’s Babae at Baril (2019) is a neo-noir feminist film that offers a powerful exploration of gender-based violence, power dynamics, and social injustice in the Philippines. The actors showed great acting which made the film realistic. The performances, especially by Janine Gutierrez, Elijah Canlas, and JC Santos, were exceptional. Moving forward, the film follows an unnamed female protagonist, a saleslady struggling with the daily realities of economic hardship and gender oppression. Her life takes a drastic turn when she comes across a gun, symbolizing a shift from powerlessness to violence (Cinema Escapist, 2020). The film powerfully illustrates systemic gender inequality, socio-economic struggles, and the profound psychological impact of oppression on women in a patriarchal society. While the film successfully highlights the brutal realities faced by many women every day in our patriarchal society, it also raises questions about the morality of revenge and whether empowerment through violence is the true answer (OTTplay, 2021). Through its raw storytelling and unflinching depiction of abuse, Babae at Baril serves as both a critique and reflection of the sociopolitical realities in the Philippines
Body
Babae at Baril follows an overworked and underpaid department store saleslady, whose life is controlled by survival struggles in an unforgiving society. She endures daily harassment and violence, particularly from male figures who exert power over her. Additionally, it shows how these male figures in her life show kindness and pity before taking advantage. Her breaking point comes when she acquires a gun, an object that symbolizes power in a world where she has none. Armed with this weapon, she begins to take control of her life, confronting those who have wronged her. However, as she wields this newfound power, the film questions if violence is truly the key to acquiring justice or if it’s just another cycle that could never be broken. The film effectively captures the sociological realities of gender-based violence, workplace exploitation, and the normalization of harassment towards women. The absence of justice in the film highlights how victims are often ignored, silenced, or blamed rather than protected. The sociological approach reveals how the film critiques the power dynamics and systemic inequalities that perpetuate violence against women. Furthermore, the film revolves around a symbolic figure which is a gun, which symbolizes how power could easily change a person's life.
Critical Analysis
From a sociological perspective, Babae at Baril paints a vivid picture of gender-based violence, economic disparity, and systemic oppression. The protagonist, a working-class woman, represents many Filipinas who struggle under the weight of patriarchy and capitalism. The film illustrates how women are often silenced and made powerless within social structures that favor men. Her experiences such as being harassed by strangers, abused by her landlord, and ignored by those in power, highlight the normalization of violence against women in Philippine society. Additionally, approximately 1 in 8 girls and women globally have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, underscoring the pervasive nature of such violence (UNICEF, 2024). The film critiques not just individual perpetrators but an entire system that enables their existence, reflecting the harsh realities of class struggle and gender inequality in the country (UNFPA, 2023).
Psychologically, Babae at Baril delves into the trauma inflicted by prolonged abuse and powerlessness. The protagonist's change in attitude after owning a gun shows a taste of power but with the consequences of violence. Her actions demonstrate the psychological consequences of oppression and how prolonged suffering and fear can push individuals to drastic measures in search of freedom. The film portrays the emotional turmoil of a woman who has endured so much unfair treatment and abuse that she sees violence as her only means of empowerment. The film's unflinching portrayal of the protagonist's daily challenges effectively sheds light on the systemic nature of gender-based violence. Director Rae Red's use of symbolism, such as the protagonist's acquisition of a firearm, serves as a metaphor for empowerment in a male-dominated society. The narrative device allows the film to delve into the psychological impact of prolonged abuse and powerlessness, illustrating how continuous oppression can drive individuals to drastic measures in their quest for autonomy. The film's cinematography and sound design further immerse the audience in the protagonist’s emotional and psychological state, enhancing the storytelling (Osaka Asian Film Festival, 2020). However, the film also raises critical questions: does violence truly liberate one, or does it make the oppressed just like their oppressors? While the protagonist gains control over her life, it still shows how being in power changes you no matter the reason why you started it in the first place. Years of being oppressed and abused changed her in a way that she can never be truly free from the shadows of trauma that haunt her (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, 2020).
Conclusion
One of Babae at Baril’s greatest strengths is its unfiltered realism. The film does not romanticize violence but instead forces the audience to confront the grim realities of being a woman in our society today. However, The film's pacing has been critiqued for its inconsistency. According to Roger Moore, the narrative "comes to an utter halt" when exploring the gun's backstory, disrupting the flow of the protagonist's journey. Additionally, a reviewer on Letterboxd noted that the gun's history felt "disassociated from the entire plot," diverting attention from the main character's development. The observations mentioned suggest that the uneven pacing may lead to confusion and dissatisfaction among viewers. Furthermore, the film leaves some questions unanswered, particularly regarding the long-term consequences of the protagonist’s actions (Foundation for Media Alternatives, 2023). While the actors were able to give their characters justice, there is still a hint of dissatisfaction and questions on the viewers' end.
Babae at Baril is a powerful commentary on the social and psychological impact of gender-based oppression in the Philippines. By intertwining sociological and psychological critique, the film effectively portrays the struggles of Filipino women in a society that often renders them invisible and only sees them as an object that could be discarded easily. It forces viewers to reflect on systemic issues such as class disparity, gender violence, and the consequences of powerlessness. While it does not offer immediate solutions, it succeeds in raising awareness and challenging the audience to question why these injustices are still left unheard. In a country where women’s rights and safety continue to be pressing issues, Babae at Baril remains a significant and important piece of Filipino cinema.
REFERENCE LIST
Cinema Escapist. (2020, September). Rae Red on Babae at Baril: “Violence is just a tool”. Cinema Escapist.
https://www.cinemaescapist.com/2020/09/rae-red-babae-at-baril-interview/
OTTplay. (2021, May 3). The Girl and the Gun review: Reaching far beyond Hollywood’s hypersexualized femme fatales.
Foundation for Media Alternatives. (2023). Online gender-based violence in the Philippines: 2023 year-end report.
Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. (2020). Babae at Baril: A reflection of societal violence and justice in the Philippines. https://manunuripelikula.com/babae-at-baril/
UNICEF. (2024, October 10). Over 370 million girls and women globally subjected to rape or sexual assault as children. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/over-370-million-girls-and-women-globally-subjected-rape-or-sexual-assault-children
Osaka Asian Film Festival. (2020). Babae at Baril synopsis. https://www.oaff.jp/2020/en/program/c02.html
Moore, R. (2021, June 8). Netflixable? Filipino woman fights back when she becomes "The Girl with a Gun" ("Babae at Baril"). Roger's Movie Nation.
https://rogersmovienation.com/2021/06/08/netflixable-filipino-woman-fights-back-when-she-becomes-the-girl-with-a-gun-babae-at-baril/
King. (2019). The Girl and The Gun. Letterboxd. https://letterboxd.com/film/the-girl-and-the-gun/Letterboxd • Your life in film
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