ML (2018)
A bold Filipino thriller that confronts Martial Law revisionism through the eyes of a millennial forced to face history's darkest truths.
ML - Movie Information
- Original Title: ML
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Benedict Mique
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Tagalog
- Spoken Languages: Tagalog
- Production Companies: Cinemalaya Foundation, Lonewolf Films
- Production Countries: Philippines
ML - Plot
Carlo, an unapologetically millennial college jock, thinks that Martial Law wasn't all that bad. No one in his family had anything bad to say about it, all he's ever read are online posts on human rights violations. Confronted by a frustrated History professor, Carlo sets out to prove he is right and looks for someone who lived through that period to tell the tale.
ML - Trailer
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ML - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Benedict Mique
Main Cast
- Eddie Garcia
- Tony Labrusca
- Lianne Valentin
- Henz Villaraiz
- Jojit Lorenzo
- Chanel Latorre
- Chrome Cosio
- Richard Manabat
- Maritess Joaquin
- Kino Rementilla
Writers
- Benedict Mique
ML - FAQs
What is ML about?
ML follows Carlo, a millennial college jock who believes Martial Law in the Philippines wasn't as bad as people claim. After clashing with his History professor, he seeks out a survivor of that era to hear the truth firsthand — and what he discovers forces him to confront uncomfortable realities about history, memory, and complicity.
What does ML stand for in the film?
ML stands for Martial Law — referring to the authoritarian regime imposed by Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines from 1972 to 1981. The title is deliberately provocative, echoing how the abbreviation is casually used online today, often stripped of its violent historical weight.
Where can you watch ML online?
You can check all available streaming and viewing options for ML on JustWatch, which tracks current platform availability in your region. Options may include rental or purchase depending on where you're located.
Is ML based on a true story?
ML is not based on a single true story, but it draws heavily from the documented historical reality of Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines. The film reflects real human rights abuses and the lived experiences of thousands of Filipinos who suffered during that period.
Who directed ML and what is the film's background?
ML was directed and written by Benedict Mique. The film was produced under the Cinemalaya Foundation and Lonewolf Films, and premiered at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in the Philippines — a prestigious platform for socially engaged Filipino cinema.
Who are the main actors in ML?
The cast is led by veteran actor Eddie Garcia alongside Tony Labrusca, Lianne Valentin, Henz Villaraiz, and Jojit Lorenzo. Eddie Garcia, one of the Philippines' most celebrated screen legends, brings particular gravitas to the film's exploration of historical memory.
How was ML received at Cinemalaya?
ML was selected as part of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival's main competition, which recognized its bold engagement with Philippine political history. The film was praised for tackling Martial Law revisionism — a deeply sensitive and timely subject in contemporary Filipino society.
Why is ML relevant to Filipino society today?
ML speaks directly to the rise of historical revisionism in the Philippines, where younger generations increasingly downplay or deny the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship. The film challenges that amnesia by dramatizing the collision between online misinformation and the testimony of those who actually lived through Martial Law.
More About ML
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