Philipines: Life, Death & Revolution, The

At the height of the turmoil leading up to and following President Ferdinand Marcos' departure from power, Jon Alpert traveled throughout the Philippines recording the daily lives of people from all levels of society and documenting the country's great disparities between the rich, with their extravagant lifestyles, and the poor, who scavenge in Manila's smoking garbage heaps to feed their enormous shanty town.

Culminating with an astonishing, "close-up" view of a rebel ambush on government troops, this in-depth look at the Philippines is an excellent resource for anyone attempting to understand the forces which continue to shape this complex country today. 

Exemplifying Jon Alpert's direct approach to his subjects, The Philippines: Life, Death & Revolution has been widely used by journalism classes to examine coverage of a Third World country in conflict, as well as the on-the-spot ethical decisions reporters must make under trying conditions.

Quotes:

"Stunning new film...we have an obligation to watch it.” — San Francisco Chronicle

Awards:

News and Documentary Emmy® Award


Credits:

Directed by:   Jon Alpert
Produced by:  Jon Alpert and DCTV


Technical Details:

1986, 33 min