Sakada (film)

Sakada is a 1976 Filipino historical drama film directed by Behn Cervantes. The film depicts the plight of the sakada, the sugarcane workers, particularly those from the Visayan region of the Philippines, who were recruited to work in the sugar plantations of Negros.

The film portrays the harsh working conditions, exploitation, and social injustices faced by the sakada under the oppressive rule of the wealthy landowners, or hacienderos. It highlights the cycle of debt peonage and the systemic inequalities that trapped the workers in poverty. Sakada also explores themes of labor organizing and the beginnings of resistance against the prevailing social order.

The film features a cast of prominent Filipino actors and is noted for its social realism and its critical perspective on the socio-economic issues of the period. Sakada is considered an important work of Filipino cinema, reflecting a period of social unrest and political activism under martial law. It's remembered for its unflinching depiction of poverty and exploitation within the sugarcane industry and its contribution to raising awareness about the struggles of the sakada.