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Movies: Ballot (2024) by Kip Oebanda: A Teacher's Perilous Fight for Democracy

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Sep 7
  • 6 min read

A Tale of Integrity and Peril "Ballot" is a 2024 Filipino political thriller and drama film directed and written by Kip Oebanda. The movie follows the gripping story of Emmy, a dedicated teacher who finds herself at the center of a corrupt local election. When violence erupts, she flees into the woods, handcuffed to the only copy of the election results, and must outsmart powerful, malevolent forces determined to rig the vote. The film is a raw and powerful commentary on the state of Philippine elections, highlighting themes of corruption, integrity, and the often-overlooked heroism of ordinary citizens.

Why to watch this movie: A Gripping Look at Political Corruption This film is a must-watch for its intense and suspenseful narrative, which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

  • A powerful lead performance: Marian Rivera's portrayal of Emmy, a character who is both a moral compass and a resourceful fighter, has been widely lauded. Her performance is the "fun and profane moral center" of the film, and she brings a raw, committed energy to the role.

  • An unflinching look at a real-world issue: The movie doesn't shy away from depicting the brutal realities of election-related violence and corruption in the Philippines. It serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by poll workers and other public servants who stand up for the democratic process.

  • A thrilling cat-and-mouse chase: The core of the film is a high-stakes chase through the wilderness, as Emmy races against time and corrupt forces. This element elevates the film from a simple drama to an action-packed thriller.

What Trend is followed?: The Rise of Politically-Charged Thrillers "Ballot" is part of a growing trend in filmmaking that uses the thriller genre to explore and critique real-world political issues.

  • Social commentary through genre film: This film, like others in this trend, uses the conventions of a popular genre (thriller/drama) to deliver a message about a serious social and political problem. By doing so, it makes the topic more accessible and engaging to a wider audience than a straightforward documentary or drama might.

  • Focus on the individual's struggle: The trend often centers on a single, relatable protagonist who is pitted against a large, corrupt system. This narrative structure personalizes the political issue and makes the stakes feel higher and more immediate.

Director's Vision: The Plight of the Righteous in a Corrupt System Kip Oebanda, known for films like "Bar Boys" and "Liway," has a clear vision that focuses on societal issues and the personal struggles within them.

  • Highlighting the fight against injustice: Oebanda's films often explore themes of individuals fighting against systemic injustice, and "Ballot" is no exception. He seeks to show the human cost of corruption and the quiet heroism of those who resist it.

  • Giving voice to the "silent martyrs": The director has stated his desire to shed light on the real-life poll officials and teachers who have died while upholding the integrity of elections. The film is a tribute to these "silent martyrs."

Themes: Corruption, Integrity, and the Power of the Individual The film delves into several powerful and interconnected themes.

  • Corruption and Deceit: The central theme revolves around the deep-seated corruption within the electoral system, exposing vote-buying, ballot-snatching, and the manipulation of political power.

  • Integrity and Sacrifice: Emmy's character embodies the theme of integrity, as she refuses to be bought and puts her life on the line to protect the votes. Her journey highlights the significant sacrifices made by those who stand for what is right.

  • Democracy and Citizen Power: The film questions the true nature of democracy in a society where powerful figures can easily subvert the will of the people. It ultimately shows that collective action and the refusal to be silent are crucial for defending democratic processes.

Key success factors: A Star Performance and a Timely Topic "Ballot" succeeded due to a combination of factors that resonated with both critics and audiences.

  • Marian Rivera's award-winning performance: Her powerful and convincing portrayal of Emmy was a significant draw, earning her the Cinemalaya 2024 Best Actress award. Critics noted her committed performance as a central reason for the film's impact.

  • Relevance to current events: The film's subject matter—electoral corruption—is a highly relevant and pressing issue in the Philippines and many other countries. This timeliness helped the film resonate with viewers who are familiar with these problems.

  • Tension-filled narrative: The narrative structure, which is built around a tense, high-stakes chase, created a compelling and entertaining experience that kept audiences engaged despite the serious subject matter.

Awards and Nominations: A Best Actress Win at Cinemalaya The film has been recognized for its merits, with the most notable achievement being Marian Rivera's Best Actress win at the Cinemalaya 2024 film festival. This recognition highlights the strength of her lead performance and the film's overall critical reception.

Critics Reception: Mixed but Positive, with High Praise for the Lead Actress Overall, the critical reception for "Ballot" was generally positive, though with some reservations. The film holds a score of 70/100 on the review aggregator site Kritikultura, which indicates a favorable reception.

  • Daily Tribune: Stephanie Mayo praised Marian Rivera's "committed portrayal" but criticized the film for its comedic and theatrical elements, which she felt undermined its potential for a more impactful commentary. She gave the film 2 out of 5 stars.

  • Spot.ph: Philbert Dy noted that the film addresses well-known issues like flawed elections and the positive role of teachers. However, he found the political satire to be "toothless," as it simply reiterates known facts without adding new depth. He did, however, highly praise Marian Rivera, calling her the film's "fun and profane moral center."

  • Philstar: Kathleen A. Llemit lauded Rivera's performance, stating that her "award-winning performance... should not be just another footnote." She praised the film for being "easily digestible" and speaking a language that is familiar to viewers.

Overall, critics agree that while the film may not offer a groundbreaking new perspective on political corruption, it succeeds as an accessible and engaging piece of mainstream entertainment, largely thanks to Marian Rivera's powerful and memorable performance.

Reviews: A Timely and Engaging Thriller Reviews for "Ballot" generally echo the sentiments of the critics, highlighting its timeliness and its lead actress.

  • Audience Reviews (general sentiment): Many viewers found the film to be an effective thriller, with the tension of the chase being a major point of praise. They appreciated the film's willingness to tackle a serious and relevant topic in an engaging way.

  • Social Media Commentary: Posts and discussions on social media platforms often centered on Marian Rivera's performance, with many calling for her to receive more recognition for her dramatic acting chops. The film also sparked conversations about the realities of election-related violence in the country.

Overall, the reviews suggest that the film resonated with a wide audience who appreciated its blend of political commentary and gripping thriller elements.

What Movie Trend film is following: The 'Social Thriller' "Ballot" is a prime example of the "social thriller" movie trend. This is a genre that combines the suspense and tension of a thriller with a biting social or political critique. Films in this trend, like "Get Out" or "Parasite," use genre conventions to shine a light on real-world issues in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Fight for Democratic Integrity The film follows the global social trend of increasing concern over the integrity of democratic processes. In an era marked by widespread misinformation, political polarization, and allegations of voter fraud and suppression, "Ballot" taps into a collective anxiety about whether a single vote still matters. It reflects a growing desire among citizens to see a fair and transparent electoral system and to celebrate those who fight to protect it.

Final Verdict: A Gripping and Important Film "Ballot" is a powerful and timely film that successfully uses the framework of a suspenseful thriller to deliver a potent message about political corruption and the importance of integrity. While its social critique may be "toothless" to some, its strength lies in its ability to make a crucial and often-overlooked issue accessible and engaging for a mainstream audience. Propelled by a commanding performance from Marian Rivera, this film is a relevant and highly watchable cinematic experience that celebrates the courage of ordinary people fighting for a fair and just society.


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