After critical reviews of RESPETO, one thing became clear. RESPETO is definitely not just a hip-hop movie, but a movie of our times when the effects of violence wrought by Martial Law echoes today.

The film is about Hendrix (Abra), a 17-year old aspiring rapper who meets a crusty old poet (Dido dela Paz) who turns out to be an activist and survivor of a brutal past.

RESPETO is a film by Alberto Monteras II and opens on September 20. It premiered in Cinemalaya and bagged all the major awards including Best Picture, NETPAC Prize and Audience Choice.

The film has been lauded by NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema), “for tackling the complex issue of human rights violation across two generations, musically connected by the vibrant and socially-conscious use of language.”

The film is going to kick off U.P.’s commemoration of 45 years since Martial Law by hosting a screening on September 19, 7p.m. at Cine Adarna, Quezon City.