Around GMA

Article Inside Page

The Mike de Leon-directed film, Bayaning 3rd World, will be available for streaming for free on December 30 to commemorate the 124th death anniversary of Jose Rizal.

Released in 1999, the movie is a mockumentary and has been described as part-investigative documentary, part-satire.

The film is shot entirely in black-and-white and attempts to merge fact with fiction to present a unique picture of Rizal's life and ideologies.

It challenges the popular perception about the revered hero and his place in history as a nationalist and champion of the Filipino people.

Bayaning 3rd World follows the story of two filmmakers who want to make a film about Rizal's life.

Their quest for answers leads them to the people who are close to their subject - from Josephine Bracken to Trinidad, and Paciano, to the hero's mother Teodora, and ultimately, to Rizal himself.

One interesting focus of the story is whether or not Rizal made a retraction of his writings against the Catholic Church on the eve of his death.

A confrontation between Rizal and the filmmakers ensues regarding the matter.

What did Rizal say? Did Rizal's answers settle the debate or lead to more questions?

Bayaning 3rd World won six awards at the 23rd Gawad Urian in 2000 including Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Picture.

The movie has been praised for its courage in challenging the conventional view on Rizal by asking profound questions.

Likewise, it humanizes the Filipino hero and presents him as a patriot with flaws and insecurities.

Its critical acclaim status, unfortunately, did not translate into ticket sales and the film performed poorly in the box office when it was shown in theaters in 1999, and again in 2000.

Bayaning 3rd World stars Ricky Davao, Cris Villanueva, Joel Torre, Lara Fabregas, Cherry Pie Picache, Rio Locsin, and Joonee Gamboa.

It's worth noting that De Leon was supposed to direct a bio film on Rizal in 1997. Production issues, however, forced the director to abandon the project altogether.

Marilou Diaz-Abaya soon took over the project that would become the hit film, Rizal, starring Cesar Montano and produced by GMA Pictures in partnership with the National Centennial Commission.

Moving forward, De Leon and screenwriter Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. created Bayaning 3rd World, deliberately moving away from the pure biopic style used in Rizal.

The remastered version of Bayaning 3rd World will be streamed for 24 hours only on December 30 via the Citizen Jake Vimeo channel.

Just recently, De Leon streamed for free the restored version of his 1981 psycho-horror masterpiece, Kisapmata, in the same platform.

Did you know that Jose Rizal is revered even outside the Philippines? Take a look at these Rizal monuments and landmarks found around the globe.