A Dangerous Life

The events take place in the early to mid-1980s Philippines, beginning with Ninoy Aquino's 1983 arrival and assassination and culminating in the peaceful People Power Revolution of 1986. The period features a fraught political atmosphere, a firestorm of media attention, and a regime fighting to maintain control amid rising dissent. The timeline also covers the speak-softly-to-hard-line shifts within Malacañang and the street-level mobilizations that changed the nation's course.

The film centers on Manila as the political nerve of the Philippines, where the Aquino assassination and subsequent crisis unfold amid government buildings, streets, and mass protests. It also shows Boston as the place where Corazon Aquino learns of her husband’s death, highlighting the international reaction and distant perspectives on the events. Manila’s political hubs—from the presidential palace to protest sites—framing the People Power narrative, while Boston represents the global echo of the aftermath. Together, these locations anchor the personal and national upheaval depicted in the story.

🗳️ Democracy

A central thread is the struggle between dictatorship and popular sovereignty. The narrative tracks how elections, protests, and civil courage erode autocratic control and empower reformist forces. It emphasizes the tension between those in power and a citizenry demanding accountability and a future shaped by democratic processes.

📰 Media & Truth

The film probes the role of journalism amid political crisis, showing how reporters seek facts while authorities attempt to manage narratives. It highlights the ethical challenges of reporting under pressure, the dangers to journalists, and the impact of media coverage on public perception and political legitimacy.

💔 Personal Trauma

Beyond the political drama are human costs: detentions, abuses, and the toll on families and communities. The story reveals how state violence and upheaval fracture lives, test resilience, and drive some characters toward radical choices, underscoring the human price of political conflict.