“Bayan o sarili?” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we ride into revolution and betrayal in our 285th episode, tackling the powerful, patriotic, and provocative Heneral Luna (2015). We’re later joined by BFF of the BFE Juleen, as we trade chequered flags for sabres and cigar smoke while we discuss:
- Ian shares a personal story about how his perspective on film shifted dramatically this week—and why Heneral Luna hit harder than expected.
- We talk about rediscovering old hobbies and how sometimes history—and a great movie—can reignite forgotten passions.
- We’ve got some big BFE cast news to share—don’t worry, no one got court-martialed.
- Was Antonio Luna an epic figure… but a deeply unlikeable man? We break down the myth and the man.
- At what point do patriotism and ego diverge—especially in military leadership? And how much of Luna’s downfall was self-inflicted?
- Why is this vital and volatile chapter of Filipino history completely absent from most American history books?
- Juleen joins us with powerful insights from her time living in Southern California and how Heneral Luna resonates against today’s shifting political tides.
- Our Rodecaster decides to go full rebellion, jumping ship mid-episode—more than once.
- What’s with all the Jesus imagery? From framing to posture to betrayal, Luna doesn’t hold back.
- One scene left Ian absolutely gobsmacked—he didn’t see it coming, and we’re still picking our jaws off the floor.
- Why did troop movements in this film feel like Season 8 of Game of Thrones? Can we get a map?
- Are Americans great marksmen… or hilariously awful? And what made standing up in battle a form of actual camouflage?
- Whether Heneral Luna is the Best Film Ever—or just the best film you’ve never heard of.
Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.
We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:
- Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
- Hermes Auslander
- James DeGuzman
- Synthia
- Shai Bergerfroind
- Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
- Andy Dickson
- Chris Pedersen
- Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
- Randal Silva
- Nate The Great
- Rev Bruce
- Cheezy (with a fish on a bike)
- Richard
- Ryan Kuketz
- Dirk Diggler
- Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
- NorfolkDomus
- John Humphrey's Right Foot
- Timmy Tim Tim
- Aashrey
Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.
Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor.
Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.
