Jeepney 2013
Distributed by Sarah Friendland
Produced by Sarah Friedland
Directed by Esy Casey
DVD , color, 57 min.
Sr. High - General Adult
Automobile Industry, Postcolonialism, Area Studies, Culture, Art
Date Entered: 04/14/2015
Reviewed by Justin Cronise, D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY and Genesee Community College, Batavia, NYJeepney is an enjoyable and beautifully-shot exploration of the legacy of the jeeps left behind in the Philippines by the American military after World War II. By the same talented filmmakers who created Thing With No Name, this documentary will give viewers a sense of the Philippines’ history, show how the jeeps were transformed into pieces of public art and transportation, and offer a charming slice of life in the Philippines through the windows of a Jeepney.
This film is at its best at the start when focusing on the impact of these iconic automobiles as a cultural identity for the common people, with each jeep a piece of art imbued with an impressive level of detail and meaning. Later on, the film examines the plight of the drivers in the midst of national protests against rising fuel prices, casts a shadow on the effects of globalization, and concludes with fascinating portraits of several of the drivers.
Jeepney is recommended for general public audiences and will offer unique insight in an educational setting on topics such as public art, design and craftsmanship, as well as the impact of war, foreign occupation, and the rise of global interconnectedness in the 20th century.
Awards
- Best Cinematography, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival