The
film Romero, directed by John Duigan, is the story of catholic priest
Archbishop Oscar Romero’s fight against government oppression. The film takes
place in the 1980’s in El Salvador during time of great political unrest, in
which the government has announced a terror war against the guerillas in
attempt to defeat them. Oscar Romero is appointed Archbishop during this reign
of terror, in which he leads the fight against oppression and brings about
social justice to the people of El Salvador. To maintain power, the government
unleashed numerous mass killings of protesters during mass, destruction of
churches, and the demonization of liberation. Romero becomes the face of the
poor, leading the way against the military regime. However, Romero soon faces
an impasse. Should he initiate a bloody civil war against the corrupt
government, or should he remain peaceful, leading non-violent protests as
depicted in the bible? The director of the film elegantly enables the viewer to
become immersed with the story of the character, as well as its theme of social
justice and liberation. Duigan uses his background in philosophy and sociology to
help us as viewers to understand the messages of liberation, as well as the
interpersonal relationships between the characters within the film. As viewers
of this film, we see these examples through filmography, as to the sound and
the overall mood of the film, political, as to the political significance of
the film, as well as the message of philosophy of liberation.
Throughout the film,
the director uses various techniques to set the overall mood of the film.
During the film, there were many instances when we as the viewer become
overwhelmed with the soundtrack, especially during the scenes leading to the
death of Oscar Romero. The director in a way foreshadows that something bad my
happen in the overall tone of the music used throughout the film. We become
moved when Father Grande and the young child are shot, and the director
beautifully uses the music to vilify the situation. When Grande is shot, the
surviving young children run away to a slow motion scene, filled with elegant
music, as well as the sound of the final gunshot that would eventually take the
life of the young child. Also, the use of classical music was used during the
film at the time of Oscar Romero’s death. Music composed by Smetena, was
introduced through various times throughout the film, including the scene of
Romero’s assassination. The composition that was used is called “The Moldau”, and is
explained to be a depiction on a beautiful telling of a story. “It sings of its
first two springs, one warm the other cold, rising in the Bohemian forest,
watches the streams as they join and follows the flow of the river through
fields and woods... a meadow where the peasants are celebrating a wedding. In
the silver moonlight the river nymphs frolic, castles and palaces float past,
as well as ancient ruins growing out of the wild cliffs.” (LAPHIL) The director most likely chose this composition because of its
grace, and that it’s also described as a song of celebration. The celebration
stems from the celebration of Oscar Romero’s life, and his fight for
liberation. The director intelligently uses a classical piece of music to
immerse the viewer into the character of Romero, so we are able to truly become
passionate about the overall message of the film. We as viewers also come to
understand the politics of the film as well through various messages the
director conveys.
Liberation
theology is defined as a school of theology that is especially prevalent in the
Roman Catholic Church in Latin America. The gospel of the church preaches
freedom for people from political, social, and material oppression. Initially,
Oscar Romero seems to be a man of empiricism, as to which he is not critical
examining the true reality of oppression that is taking place in El Salvador.
He in fact was chosen to be Archbishop for this reason, because those who were
head of the regime believed that he would sit back and allow the social
injustices to go on. However, Romero begins to react critically, changing his
theory on life. He begins to see the injustices, killings, and the destruction
of society, therefore becomes a social advocate for the poor and oppressed.
Challenging authority, as well as questioning the status quo, shows the
workings of critical theory. “Critical Theory” in the narrow sense designates
several generations of German philosophers and social theorists in the Western
European Marxist tradition known as the Frankfurt School. According to these
theorists, a “critical” theory may be distinguished from a “traditional” theory
according to a specific practical purpose: a theory is critical to the extent
that it seeks human emancipation, “to liberate human beings from the circumstances
that enslave them.” (Bohman) The liberation of humans becomes Romero’s main
task, and the director allows the viewer to become inspired in his fight to do
so. Whether it’d be Romero leading marches, giving mass to all of those across
town, or giving the ultimate sacrifice of his life in efforts to end social
injustices in society. In my understanding of the film, as well as sociological
theories of society, I realized the true message of the film. I felt the
director was trying to portray a man who witnesses that inequalities of
society, and decides to be critical of society, ultimately embracing liberation
theology, as well as critical theory. Critical theory is based upon people
living the way they see the world. Romero lived critical theory because; he
believed that if Jesus Christ were on earth today, he would be a revolutionary Marxist,
fighting for the marginalized groups in society.
Oscar
Romero was and always is a revolutionary. From the time where he was appointed
archbishop, he was able to see the troubles of society, as well as the social
injustice of military government of El Salvador. Liberation theology became the
clear message of the film, because of its religious aspects as well. Romero
believed that God would have fought for those who were oppressed, attempting to
deliver social and economic justice. The director of the film was on point
delivering the message of liberation by explaining the amazing story of Oscar
Romero. His words became inspiring for all of those in El Salvador, and they
began to march in efforts to stand up against oppression. Other messages
through philosophical as well as sociological themes were delivered as well in
the film. We see those through Romero’s viewpoint of the world, and how he
believes all people are human, and equal on a socially just level. Also, the
interpersonal relationships between those who are oppressed and the capitalist
elites within society show many of the sociological themes as well. Therefore,
overall the message of social equality, as well as liberation theology, was
greatly delivered by the director, showing us the spirit of Oscar Romero, and
his fight for justice for all.
