Watch Season of the Devil

Season of the Devil (2018) is a Filipino musical drama film directed by renowned filmmaker Lav Diaz. The movie stars Piolo Pascual, Shaina Magdayao, and Bituin Escalante in lead roles. The film is set in the 1970s during the height of the Martial Law era in the Philippines when people were struggling for the freedom of expression and against the dictatorship.

The movie is a powerful artistic expression of the Filipino people's struggle against oppression and tyranny. It showcases various forms of art such as poetry, song, and dance, that are used by the people to express their pain, grief, anger, and frustration against the military regime. The film is a significant reflection of the contemporary Filipino society and its history, that portrays the violations of human rights, and the cruelty of the military regime against the common people.

Season of the Devil depicts the story of a small rural village that is terrorized by the military forces. The movie revolves around a couple, Hugo (Piolo Pascual) and Lorena (Shaina Magdayao), who is separated by the Martial Law. In search of her husband, Lorena wanders around the countryside and meets a group of poets, musicians, and artists who are part of an organization fighting for freedom and justice. They help her navigate her way through the war-torn countryside as they perform symbolic songs and poetry on the way.

One of the notable characters in the movie is the healer, Kadugo (Bituin Escalante). She is the voice of reason and inspiration for the people, who uses her knowledge of traditional healing practices to help those who are sick and suffering. As the military forces begin to close in on them, the group of artists takes refuge in the forest and begins their fight against the oppression through their art.

The movie has a lot of symbolism and metaphors that reflect the political climate of the Philippines during the Martial Law era. The characters in the movie use poetic and artistic expressions to communicate their feelings and thoughts to each other, while also using their art as a means of resistance against the military forces.

The cinematography of Season of the Devil is also noteworthy, and it contributes to the overall emotional and artistic impact of the film. Lav Diaz's unique style of long takes and his use of black and white footage elevates the film to a level of artistry that is rarely seen in mainstream cinema.

The music in the movie is composed by Lav Diaz himself, and it is one of the film's most notable features. The songs’ lyrics, often filled with metaphors, reflect the Filipino people's struggle for freedom and their hope for a better future. Piolo Pascual and Shaina Magdayao’s performance in the movie is also commendable, as they successfully portray the pain and isolation that their characters face while maintaining the poetic and artistic tone of the film.

In conclusion, Season of the Devil is a powerful and artistic depiction of the struggle of the Filipino people against political oppression and martial law. The movie showcases the importance of artistic expression in moments of crisis and highlights the struggle of the common people against the brutal military regime. Lav Diaz's cinematic mastery and the outstanding performances of the cast make Season of the Devil a must-watch for lovers of artistic cinema.