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IUSTITIA et PAX (Justice and Peace)! Seen through the eyes of Sonny (Cogie Domingo), a wrongfully placed juvenile offender in
Death Row, and Lolo Sinat (Eddie Garcia), a hardcore convict in his 70's, GMA Films brings to screen a heart-rending drama of the plight of felons set to die through
lethal injection.
This motion pictures brings us inside the walls of Philippine penal institution with all the system's inhumanity and politics, and their effects on its inmates both new (like Sonny) and old (like Lolo Sinat), most especially those destined for capital punishment.
The screenplay is good but heavy. In these troubled times, this film can be quite
depressing even if the ending brings forth a glimmer of hope. Veteran actor Eddie Garcia is convincing as a reluctantly sympathetic old inmate and Cogie Domingo does
justice to his role. Jacklyn Jose as a human rights lawyer adds not just color but depth to the story.
Ryan Cayabyab's musical score is commendable, together with its live-sound recording as well. The production design is superb for it captures the mood for each scene. Joel Lamangan's flashback techniques are refreshing but his choice of sequence, placing of shots and transition devices to be irksome at times. Some shots, particularly Lolo Sinat's march to his death and the conclusion could have been better executed. Obviously the film is against the death penalty. Its major argument lies in the imperfection of the justice system in the Philippines. How can you send a man to his death when this man might be innocent? Christian correction and penology seeks the holistic transformation of the offender. The sacrificial love of the Cross-is mightier than the sting of the poisonous needle. Execution is not the solution. Furthermore, this film also cries out to those involved in prison management to re-examine their perception of justice. How can we help those who need to change if the environment that is supposed to help in their transformation is also corrupt? The film shows that in a place of darkness and despair true love and brotherhood exist and that hope springs eternal.
Due to the vulgarity and intensity of language used, coupled with scenes of sodomy, murder,
prison violence, upper frontal nudity, drugs and alcoholism this motion picture is for mature audiences 18 years old and above.
In true justice, there is a peace! If we continue to live in the principle of an eye for eye, a tooth for a tooth (which rules in prison), the world will go blind, the world will have no teeth! Will the violence ever end?
(Date reviewed: January 3, 2001)
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