Amen and swerte in Jeffrey Jeturian's Kubrador : a semiotic reading

• Main Author: Garcia, Ines C.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2013
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/2555
• Institution: De La Salle University

This thesis argues that Jeffrey Jeturian's Kubrador (2006) showcases the interplay offaith and luck as expressed in the symbols of Amen and Malas as the main theme of the film. This analysis also studies the character of Amy, a middle-aged bet-collector, played by actress, Gina Pareño, as a focal point of these two forces. The dynamics of these forces are revealed as Amy struggles to cope with daily survival in the slums of Metro Manila, as she navigates through the labyrinth of corruption of both church and local government. Furthermore, these forces converge to provide Amy with a way to create the illusion of Divine Providence as a source of protection, guidance, and hope in her life. This study uses semiotic theory advanced by Christian Metz, Robert Stam, Robert Burgoyne, and Sandy Flitterman-Lewis. Through semiotic analysis and the use of the element of mise-en-scene, the study examines dominant signs, such as 'Amen', and 'Malas', and how they relate to each other in each frame, shot, scene or sequence. This study limits itself to analyzing the following signs: (1) The Church (2) The Government (3)'Amen' (4)'Swerte' (5) Jueteng and finds its patterns in their mise-en-scene. An investigation into the character of Amy shows that she is the breadwinner of her family with a useless crippled husband unable to work. She has three children, all of whom do not help carry any financial burden or emotional support. Her eldest lives abroad as an OFW, her second is even poorer than her with a family of her own and her only son is dead. The institutions that govern her are of no help either instead they exploit her by using her to make secret bets and collect donations. Because of her situation she relies on her faith in God and her belief in luck to comfort her and help her continue on. This analysis is divided into seven sections, starting with a discussion on the presentation of faith and luck in the film. It then moves on to studying the mentioned signs: faith as a providing force, the government as the kalaban , the Church as a dishonest institution, Ang Amen ni Amy, Swerte , and Jueteng Na. To conclude the work, a summary and synthesis are provided together with a recommendation for future scholars to improve this subject of study.