Watch these timeless Filipino movies at the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino
When Hollywood A-lister Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 2015 Academy Awards, or more commonly known as the Oscars, he opened the show with a musical performance, singing an original song titled "Moving Pictures."
Through the song, Neil pointed out that some of the great works of American filmmakers such the Godfather 2, Clue, Casablanca, and Gone with the Wind shaped who they are as Americans and as a country.
In the Philippines, the same can be said for timeless Filipino films that reflected the country's highs and lows that we all love, mirroring the society that we lived in.
From the classic films Genghis Khan by the great Manuel Conde to Muro Ami by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, here are some of the classic Filipino films you can watch at the online edition of the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino from October 31 to December 13.
Genghis Khan
Starring Manuel Conde, Elvira Reyes, Inday Jalandoni
Directed by Manuel Conde
The 1950s film 'Genghis Khan' was the first-ever Filipino movie to premiere at the Venice Film Festival. / Source: imdb.com
Telling the story of one of the greatest conqueror Genghis Khan, the 1950 movie directed and starred by Manuel Conde is considered a classic in this own rights.
Genghis Khan was the first Filipino film to premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival in 1952, where it competed for the Golden Lion Award, the highest prize given by the film festival.
Despite its limited production budget, the film received rave reviews from international movie critics and often listed the film in their all-time favorites.
Aside from its story, Genghis Khan is also considered the 'holy grail' of Filipino film archiving. After its 1952 premiere in Venice, Filipino archivists believed that the film prints were lost until 2012 when the Historic Archives of Contemporary Arts of the Biennale found a copy in its libraries.
Batch '81
Starring Mark Gil, Sandy Andolong
Directed by Mike de Leon
A film about hazing and fraternities, Batch '81 left an impact of the reality of fraternities and hazing in the Philippines. / Source: imdb.com
Alpha Kappa Omega Batch '81 tells the story about the titular fraternity's harsh initiation in their newest batch of members in 1981.
Then up-and-coming actor Mark Gil portrayed Sid Lucero, a neophyte who suffered extreme hazing at his seniors' hands. Although Sid suffered during his initiation, he continued the tradition of hazing in the fraternity when he became a senior.
Batch '81 became Mark's most known work and his then-one-year-old child, Tim Eigenmann, used his father's character Sid Lucero as a screen name when he entered the industry years later.
Insiang
Starring Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Ruel Vernal, Rez Cortez
Directed by Lino Brocka
The 1970s film 'Insiang' was the first Filipino film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival. / Source: imdb.com
Arguably the best film of esteemed Filipino director Lino Brocka, Insiang is set in Tondo, Manila's poor neighborhood, where the titular character was raped by her resentful mother Tonya's (Mona Lisa) much-younger lover Dado (Ruel Vernal).
When Tonya found out that Dado raped her daughter, she blamed Insiang for the assault. The next morning, Insiang and her boyfriend Bebot (Rez Cortez) eloped, checking in at a cheap hotel in Binondo, Manila.
When she wakes up, Bebot was gone, and Insiang was forced to return to her home. Soon after, she planned her revenge on Tonya, Dado, and Bebot.
Despite being a box-office failure, Insiang received good reviews from local and international film critics for its themes of betrayal, revenge, and despair.
Manila by Night
Starring Charito Solis, Alma Moreno, Cherie Gil, Rio Locsin, Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar
Directed by Ishmael Bernal
The 1980 movie 'Manila by Night' uncovers Manila's ugly face during the Marcos regime. / Source: imdb.com
Considered as one of Ishmael Bernal's greatest work, Manila by Night is an epic multi-narrative of people that uncovers Manila's ugly face during the time of Martial Law.
The film shows the truth behind Manila's 'beautification' by depicting the ugly aspects of the city like unemployment, prostitution, drug addiction, and homelessness.
Because of its theme, Manila by Night was not shown in local theaters until after the government heavily censored the film and changed its title to City After Dark.
Even though these films were written and films decades ago, they still mirror the society that we live in today and remain relevant to society's present issues.
As the lyrics in the song "Moving Pictures" said, the characters in these films “may not be real life, but they'll show you what life really means.”
You can watch these classic films and many more at the online edition of the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which will run from October 31 to December 13.. To know more about the details, you may visit FCDPChannel.ph, or the Facebook page of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.