Depicting Development Issues: Thematic Trends of Documentary Films of Mindanao-Based Filmmakers

© Media Watch 7 (3) 342-353, 2016
ISSN 0976-0911 e-ISSN 2249-8818
DOI: 10.15655/mw/2016/v7i3/48548
 

Depicting Development Issues: Thematic Trends of Documentary Films of Mindanao-Based Filmmakers

NEF T. LUCZON
Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Philippines
 
Abstract
Mindanao is the Philippine’s second largest island in the south. Identifying Mindanao-based documentaries that have development themes remain unknown or unacknowledged. Using Phenomenology as theoretical framework and method, as a result, the researcher found out that similar to other documentary films in other parts of the country and the world, the themes showed by Mindanao-based documentaries reflect on agriculture, health, women and children, environment and population. However unlike its other foreign and local counterparts, a number of Mindanao-based documentaries anchor the mentioned development themes under the context of peace and conflict situation, human rights, indigenous peoples and their ancestral domains.
 
Keywords: Mindanao issues, documentary films, development themes, filmmaking, phenomenology, development communication
 
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Filmography
Birthdev, Inc. (Producer) & Boyle, C. (Director). (2010). Children of Mindanao’s Hidden War. [Motion Picture – Documentary]. Philippines.
Carolino, D. (Producer & Director). (2005). Bunso (The Youngest). [Motion Picture – Documentary]. Philippines: Consuelo Foundation & UNICEF.
Cobb, C., Portello, B. & Schalkenback, R. (Producers) & Diaz, P. (Director). (2008). The End of Poverty? [Motion Picture – Documentary]. United States: Cargo Films, Cinema Libre Studio & The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.
Luczon, N. (Producer & Director). (2014). Tindoga. [Motion Picture – Documentary]. Philippines: Obra Skorpio & CEGP Northern Mindanao Region.
 
 
Prof. Nef T. Luczon is a faculty member in the Department of Technology Communication Management at Mindanao University of Science Technology, Philippines. He teaches communication courses as major subjects. His research interests include mass media, multimedia, film, journalism and social sciences. He remains active in journalism and filmmaking only this time under a freelance/consultancy status since this was his career prior to teaching in the university.