Shared sustenance: “An Evaluative overview of Philippine executives on the societal and psychological viewpoint on the film Blue Room

By: AmberJillian Caras

Introduction 

The film Blue Room, directed by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan, made in the year 2022, captivates a socio-political thriller that thoroughly delves into the disturbing realities involving deception among the social construct of Filipinos. Inequality serves as a prejudice that extracts from those who are on top of the social hierarchy.  Director Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan implies that authority is a double-edged sword in society used for noble intentions or conspiring for harm. (Stroud, n.d.) The story revolves around the fame the characters conveyed on social media. Rebel Rebel relies on the collective talents of its members expressed through music. Corruption in the Philippines is an ongoing issue going back from historical backgrounds to recent incidents. (Respicio, 2024)  Conversely, some members of the police misuse their authority to control others. In the Philippines, those with financial capabilities can be deceived by pretentious people who act to defend victims in need of protection.

Body

Blue Room is a character-led film whose central point is not solely on the sudden change of circumstance but also on the clash of ethics among individuals who are forced to surrender to the power plays of law enforcement officers. (The Flame, 2022). The story begins by introducing a distinct circle of young musicians who unconsciously got caught up in a precarious condition as an outcome of being detained by the police. Afterward, they were taken into custody on imposed drug usage, presented with the freedom to make a decision, to convince with an incentive, or to endure a lifetime punishment provided by the legal system (Cinemalaya, n.d). However, all band members grew up in a wealthy environment. Fearing their parents' discovery, they could not afford to ignore their situation. Only later, unraveling it was set up by the police as they planted drugs inside their car to make false accusations with the idea of gaining funds.

The Blue Room showcases a metaphor for the concealed dynamics of power and corruption. Embellishing how those with connections can settle for legal outcomes through its unfaltering description of police violation and unequal treatment in society. As stated, if Chigs did not have connections to a formal general,  nobody would address the situation. The very focus of the film is to examine the ethical conflicts individuals confront when faced with challenging circumstances. The film explores themes of privilege, accountability, and the lengths to which people will go to escape the consequences of their actions. 

Critical Analysis

The film challenges the audience to consider the aftermath of their decisions in the context of a flawed justice system. The political overview suggests that society operates under free will. Revealing genuine intention presents people with a choice. One that benefits but compromises their values or the other that could result in a negative outcome but maintains their integrity. This operates a reflective thought in human nature whereas pressure can exhibit the true colors of each individual strengthening the blue room’s connection to viewers, then opening a psychological perspective of the film.  

While it has impressive qualities, critics have noted that its characters do not undergo substantial development throughout the plot. Philbert Dy’s review accentuates its lack regarding the character’s background yet recognizes the film's charm and entertainment. Dy, P. (2023, January 10) The dormant backstories limit the capacity to engage emotionally with the narrative. In creative writing, a key principle is that stories should resonate with viewers, allowing them to see themselves or relate to the experiences depicted. Examples are the underdeveloped backgrounds of the roles as the story only provided a general viewpoint to each of their stories and only settled for their current status as a band. 

On a more positive note, the film successfully emphasizes real-life situations that were essentially the inspiration for the film involving the findings of a secret detention facility in Manila's Tondo district in 2017. The incident happened hidden behind a bookshelf in Police Station 1, holding no less than 12 victims stating that officers offered for them to give bribes varying from ₱40,000 to ₱200,000 for their freedom. The hostages reported undergoing severe constraints, consisting of overcrowding and absence of cleanliness. (SunStar, 2017) The occurrence underscores police unlawfulness and infractions of human rights in the Philippines.​ 

All of these lie under the Republic Act No. 9745 where citizens are guaranteed the right against degrading treatment ensuring that no individual is subdued by any possible incidents that go against the law. The combination of fact and fiction presents richness to the storyline. From a sociological point of view, the search for real-world injustices can induce crucial discourses about amenable and societal shifts, reminding audiences of the importance of awareness in addressing these ongoing issues.

Conclusion 

Ultimately, their portrayal reinforces the utmost value of distinct and collaborative accountability in a strive for justice and equity. Conscious efforts are essential for meaningful progress within a systemic framework. The film examines how power can benefit the collective good while also revealing its potential for misuse by the unethical despite the lack of background information on each character. The narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent challenges posed by societal control and the suppression of truth. The conscious effort is essential for diligently seeking progress within a system that may otherwise facilitate continued abuse of authority among the privileged, let alone the underprivileged. (Asuncion-Dagñalan, 2022) The message was effectively conveyed through writing, setting, and performances. Without addressing unspoken truths of corruption, potential victims will suffer the consequences.

Reference List

Asian Movie Pulse. (2022, October). Film review: Blue Room (2022) by Ma-an 

Asuncion-Dagñalan. Asian Movie Pulse.  https://asianmoviepulse.com/2022/10/film-review-blue- room-2022-by-ma-an-asuncion-dagnalan/

Cinemalaya. (n.d.). Blue room. Cinemalaya.  https://cinemalaya.org/blue-room/

Dy, P. (2023, January 10). Blue Room (2022) [Review]. Letterboxd.  https://letterboxd.com/philbertdy/film/blue-

room-2022-1/

Respicio, H. (2024, April 9). Abuse of power in the Philippines: Governance, human rights, and accountability.

Respicio & Co. Law Firm.  https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/abuse-of-power-in-the-philippines-

governance-human-rights-and-accountability

Stroud, J. (n.d.). Law enforcement abuse of power. Stroud Lawyers.   https://stroudlawyers.com/civil-rights/law-

enforcement-abuse-of-power/

SunStar. (2017, April 27). Secret jail for drug suspects found, police station chief relieved.

SunStar.  https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/secret-jail-for-drug-suspects-found-police-station-

chief-relieved

The Flame. (2022, September). Blue room: The justice system through the lens of the elite. The

Flame.  https://abtheflame.net/literary/2022/09/blue-room-the-justice-system-through-the-lens-of-the-

elite/