#lino at the scene of a crime as always | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

tillymint7 · 4 years ago

Text

Melissa Gordon 👏🏻💕 (I still have a few names to add to this post and images)

Melissa’s is an American painter currently working in Berlin. Her work is really interesting and thought provoking it concentrates on the idea of gesture and what a gesture is. Melissa explains that gestures is the thing that exists between the index and the icon, the moment of transition between the idea and the finished painting.

Gesture is the back bone of Melissa’s practice. She talks about her work in such a poetic and articulate way. The icon also made me think of movie icons. In someways paintings become icon’s they almost have their own personality like film actors they become encapsulated and etched into history. Film is a running thread throughout Melissa’s work. Melissa talks about painting coming into existing it is almost a catalogue of its birth.

Melissa talks about the gesture being the space between the poet and the actor. In which she explains that the poet creates, but often does not perform, whereas the actor performs, but does not create, meaning that the gesture is the bit that exists in the space between, which she describes as a look or the movement of a hand that allows the narrative to come alive.

Melissa uses a mixture of methods, mediums and disciplines her painting are creates using photography, silk screen print, painting, found objects, surfaces, architectural structures these structures then become part of the spaces that they inhabit, the structures themselves are almost sculptural.

Melissa paintings stretch beyond the canvas to installations. She talks about the structures dissecting the room, some parts seem to create a kind of negative or positive visualisation of a maze. An internal or external reflection. Almost existing and becoming part of the architectural space itself, bleeding from one to the other like the fluidity of the paint.

Melissa sees the paint as a metaphor for water and the water is a metaphor for women. She talks about how women throughout history are often described as leaky vessels or cracked pot unable to be contained often clogging up machinery and causing disruption. Melissa’s work is allowing the painting to break free from the canvas and the reach out into the atmosphere without the limits of their containers.

She talks about her earlier photography work existing on imaginary surface of glossy paint, which causes the images to seem disembodied or floating on the surface. They are disconnected, but still contained by the canvas, which in turn is contained by the architectural structures, which is contained within the room so really her current work is also about reaching out and expanding, but this also reminds me of my work bursts out into the space around me. Melissa talks about containers and layers, which is a very similar language that I apply to my own work. Layering ideas, collaging images and footage, multiple contexts, containers and meanings. It’s why Im drawn to a multidisciplinary practice.

Melissa talking about containers and water reminded me of a quote by Yoko Ono. I became obsessed with this quote last year. The quote ended up become part of my prints: ‘We are all water in different containers, so let's evaporate together.’ We are after all are one race the human race. We all consist of over 80% water we are all ruled by the moon. Weather we like it or not we are all one with the world around us. It always try to remember that the more detached we are from our environment the more broken we become. We are everything and everything is us and our reality is merely perception.

Melissa prints are silk screen prints, which she calls Female Readymades. They consist of sections of work surfaces and found objects. The objects themselves are printed true to life. The prints depict cleaned surfaces, work spaces, floors and brush bristles. Melissa describes them as reminiscent of crime scene photography. They almost look like they are back lite like an X-ray or a film negative which once again ties in the subject of film and documentation.

Melissa used fencing, warning tape, signs, clothing, chains, ropes, which to me all talk of boundaries limits and restrictions. Representative of women's constant struggle to be accepted in a male dominated world. A women with something to say is often cast aside. Labelled as emotional, sensitive (although emotional and sensitivity are positives in my eyes) crazy, bossy, bolshy, aggressive, controlling, loud, manipulative. Where as a man would be described as strong minded, ambitious, forthright, knowledgeable, a leader, confident etc etc. This toxicity is engrained in every facet of our society so no wonder women crack. Theres no wonder we feel trapped and contained. As Melissa says let's become the water and break free. Any form of oppression will create a inevitable response.

There is a constant daily feeling of being misinterpreted and misjudged. I know I deal with this struggle. Societies expectation of what a women is allowed to be has lead women (including myself) to constantly apologise and constantly edit and doubt what we are allowed to say, which in turn leads to low self esteem, low confidence and self doubt. We are capable of doing anything if we just allow ourselves to believe in our own ability to be ourselves.

Melissa uses space is such an interesting way, she talks about the space between or the gaps between, which funnily enough is also the name of a piece of work I made during lockdown and is the way I see my observational videos and photos as spaces in time, the gaps where Im most in connection with the world around me. Like the gestures the moments I capture are of chance observation where the lines of existence are blurred and interruption from reality I feel like those are gaps that connect everything. Like the gaps that connect Melissa painting. I find it interesting that she sees these painting like sections of film which are records of reality. I also find so much beauty in unintended marks that are permanently recorded her work is such a beautiful visual interpretation.

Melissa’s work is a tongue in cheek take on an abstract painting not intended to be merely decorative like most Abstract painting could be perceived. Melissa’s work explores documentation of the unintentional. Her prints remind me of the ghost prints I use the get from my lino cuts or press prints. I actually used to layer them too. Strangely enough I also collect marks and stains from paint like records of matter creating patterns. I love the look of organically formed impression. I also created a slippage piece during the first lockdown that ended up moving from painting to photography. The work itself no longer exists in the same form it was photographed in because initially it was juts a record of the process. Like Melissa says it is a gesture that I see as site specific. It's a gesture to me that could not be truly replicated again unless photographed so I suppose it could be seem as a way of preserving or containing its creation.

Melissa also talks about her interest in film being linked to her paintings and prints. The painting themselves resemble stills or negative with the gaps on the wall being the places where gestures lives.

Melissa’s Female Readymades were inspired by the under representation of female artist and the speculation about the authorship of Marcel Duchamps ‘Fountain’ by Elsa Von Freytag - Loringhoven and xxxxxxxx. Her works talks about this idea that many female artist authorship for their work was stolen. It’s still happening to this day. Funnily enough, I did an essay on Duchamp's work Estant Donnes, in which I discussed the speculation surrounding the fountain and it’s authorship. I think it is really important for female artist and artists in general to keep writing about these things.

I though it was really interesting that Melissa used a photograph taken in Marcel Duchamp’s studio, which depicts the fountain being hung. Melissa saw this as a rather aggressive thing for Marcel to do. She disgust its disappearance and that fact that Marcel did not calm authorship for many year. Melissa didn't seem to think there was any evidence, but after my research during my essay I actually think there is quite a lot of information out there and I don't think its merely speculative either, there are some really interesting detailed published papers that really made me think.

Melissa said something really interesting. she said that was should let the history speak for itself and I completely agree. The more people research these works and others like them the more these artists will be recognised and come to light within the wider community.

Melissa was really helpful in both the Q&A and the one to one. She suggested some really I nteresting artists and books for me to read. As well as a feminist discussion and reading group.

Recently been suggested that maybe I should concentrate on one thing, which I appreciate the advice very much, but I really don't work like that. I don't think like that either. My work may be perceived as a globular house by some or confusing and unclear by others. Melissa even said it doesn't have to be tidied up, which I thought was a good analogy, we digest and tidy up what we are thinking and what we want to portray. I don't like to be put in a box or contained so why start now. I just have to share what I want to share in a thoughtful way. I was thinking about this in the context of my instagram account. To me is not a collection of works, but more a display of progress and documentation so maybe that is also the work?

Why should any artist drop things that interest them. In my opinion it all adds to their practice. To become more palatable to a viewer is to become a product designer not a fine artist. If my work appears confusing it is probably because Im still simmering. As Rory always says it will all make sense in the end and I think it finally is. The Meaning and connections take time. I like my grainy over saturated photographs. I feel they are fitting in our existential world. I also enjoy blurry distorted close up images and videos. Reality isn't perfect.

I also spoke with Melissa about water being a running theme in my work and talked about Hydro Feminism. I looked this up straight after the one to one and I was blown away. The movement of solidarity for people across bodies of water. I will have to add this as a separate Tumblr entry. I have far too much to add about it. This subject is so interesting and so apt to my practice.

It was an absolute pleasure to meet Melissa. Im really looking forward to following her work. She has an exciting installation planned where she will be recreating the interior wall of both Elsa Von Freytag - Loringhoven and Jenny xxxx apartment walls. The viewer can walk through their passed living space. As an installation artist this really speaks to me. The floating walls are like a ghost of their passed and viewer is almost existing between dimensions of reality become part of the past and the present, which is a running theme in my work too. Its absolutely brilliant. I really look forward to seeing it coming to fruition.

0 notes

nikkifilm · 5 years ago

Text

Insiang, dir. Lino Brocka (1976)

The characters in the film aren't a lot too, yet it effectively shown what its message is. I adore how the characters are all unique in their own way and have their respective personalities. They all have their own voice in the movie, regardless if their character is likeable or not. To some extent, you are able to see some gradual character developments in the film despite the setting being the same places over and over again. Especially with the main character, Insiang. You'd see how she's very passive and innocent-like. It's as if despite all the things that had happened to her, she still doesn't try to fight back. She attempts to get help from the people she trust but to no avail. I've been waiting that if not any of the people in the film can help her, maybe she'd help herself by finally fighting back and standing up for herself. What we did see though is her doing things unexpected of her, like how she starts to seduce and give in to Dado when she was harassed by him without being scared of what her mother nor her boyfriend would react about it. It then turn out to be Insiang using Dado as a way to get revenge on her boyfriend and her using her mother's anger towards Dado's betrayal in order to drive her to murder Dado as a way to get revenge on both him and her mother.

However, the style and visual wise, it had shown the rawness of the lifestyle within a small town that is typical of the Philippine setting. The way they captured this goes the same with Maynila, and that's one of the little factors that makes you think that they are both made by a single director. It's pretty much similar to Maynila in a way that it depicts the way of life in a certain community and a certain household. You could also see some similarities with the actors and actresses in both films. What I was able to notice too is how the setting they utilize in the film are always fixed that you don't just see the places once or twice, it's pretty much shot within a particular area that is noticeable. There's nothing bad with that, though. It's in fact fascinating how they repeat the settings without it feeling dull and tiring. There's always something new or different within the setting that is constant throughout the film that enables you to observe how some of the characters progress or change and indicates how the story develops.

You'd see how a simple girl from the slums of Manila grew from silent and passive to vengeful and passive-aggressive. Insiang's character was developed into something she didn't use to be. It is seen how the people she's close to or hold on to for help don't actually care for her and are not sincere. They all have their selfish minds and cruelty on Insiang which is why she turned on them. Perhaps it also tells something about repression, maybe something about how we have been colonized only to be used and abused.

The film had tackled more on the abusive side of Manila or the country in general, especially during those times. How particular women are always objectified and abused. These can be observed with the first few parts of the film, how the women in the film are abused or harassed and there is little to none justice to it besides personal vengeance from family members or friends. It's as if it's a norm and not considered as a crime or a sort of abuse compared to how sensitive a topic it is to this date. Rape culture in the country have also been tackled in this film, and it is alarming how back then, there weren't much protection for women and how lacking the generation was with its awareness towards rape. It also signifies how victims aren't heard but are often judged, and when it comes to asking for help, there are little to none that you can reach out to or would actually offer to help you with it. That being said, it had also talked about the toxic masculinity especially back then where men were in power compared to women and that they "own" the women they "love". Another is how in every conflict, it must be resolved through violence where in not only it is toxic but also unnecessary as not everything has to end up with that. It had also tackled the judgmental society, how every action that you make, regardless of what intentions you have or if it really is a fact, people will always talk about you the way they choose and want to see it. People create their own truth, and although this film didn't entirely focus on that, the fact that it is there speaks about the society we have back then and up to this date. Lastly, it also tackled about the toxicity within family members, that despite their abusive traits, you must stay with them because they are "blood". This is shown through Insiang's mother, how she talks down to Insiang and see her more as a maid than her daughter, ordering her around every time.

Although there are also a number of scenes that I didn't like, and those are the aforementioned social issues that have been tackled in the film. One of those that I have mentioned that I particularly didn't like was the way they have shown how badly treated Insiang was, particularly women. I didn't like how the other women Insiang trusted turned back on her, especially her mother. Women are supposed to help each other against the repression against abusive men, but that wasn't shown in this. Although what substituted to that was how they shown Insiang develop into a vengeful woman and indirectly ruined their lives which is what I liked about it. It was powerful, they way she took revenge on the people who have hurt her. You would expect that she'd turn on them typically by forming an alliance or taking them down violently or anything that anyone would expect to happen. This one took a different perspective on vengeance, how she was able to take down the people who had hurt her without getting in trouble nor getting her hands dirty. It was something logical and psychological, and that's something I didn't expect from a film that's dated a few decades ago.

It wasn't something I was expecting from the beginning to the end. It's very unpredictable and at the same time a great film. It's way ahead of its time, and it's also something that speaks to the audience, especially with the underlying messages and social issues that it has. Regardless of what period you are in, it's safe to assume that the issues that it tackles will always be relevant in the society you live in. It makes you think how these things are already occurring back then yet is still happening today. Although it's alarming, this film had managed to be able to send that message off to its viewers and that alone is something commendable for a film and a director. You'd see how Lino Brocka really has that deep kind if mindset towards these things and it does help you too, as an audience to become more wary of the society and the issues we are facing, regardless if you are directly affected by it or not.

0 notes

xxntigo · 5 years ago

Text

MIDTERMS: In-depth reaction of “Maynila, sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Insiang” Film Reaction 2019

Film Language

Robedillo, Jeremy

MM23 S.Y. 2019-2020

In the Era of 70's one of the most recognizable directors in the Philippine is Lino Brocka who expressed a very strong love for the country.And one of the Filipino films that impacted the lives of each and every one. Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (Manila in the Claws of Neon), Brocka's most work which landed in some international critics' lists as one of the most important films ever made. The courage and his determination were undoubtedly surfaced based on the subject and the objectives of the story.

Very much acclaimed and deservingly noted in everyone's heart. Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag is an awakening and powerful film. Based on the plot, derived from a serial published in a local magazine, collaborated by screenwriter Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. The objectives can easily be seen in on the main characters Julio Madiaga (Bembol Roco) being purposefully driven by his urge to find his one true love Ligaya Paraiso (Hilda Koronel), one of the characters of a Filipino being naive and strong-willed, Julio went to Manila from his province where he grew up to rescue Ligaya . Lino Brocka used these two main characters as the subjects of his thoughts about the present situation of the Philippines, Manila as the capital and known for many promises, with its injustices hidden by affluence and commercialism as paraded by the several high-rise buildings and the neon lights that enhance every business. Julio Madiaga Orpheus' wife is LigayaParaiso Julio, a fisherman from the province travels to Manila to look for Ligaya, who was swooned by a certain Mrs. Cruz (Juling Bagalbago) from the province to work and supposedly study in Manila. Unfortunately, Ligaya became a prostitute. She was forcibly raped by a Chinese merchant who trapped her and threatens her every time she attempted to escape and only to find herself helpless and tortured.She also thinks about the plight of her child if she will be caught.

On the part of Julio finally, he saw Mrs. Cruz after months of searching and looking for his beloved Ligaya. Throughout his journey, his money runs out and was forced to look for work and landed in a construction site and was involved in the troubles of the common laborer. Injustices in laborers like how the foreman would exploit them by lending them their own money, using and taking advantage of a portion of their wages to money-making schemes (bogus). Julio befriends Atong (Lou Salvador), one of the laborers welcome Julio to his house in the slums area where he could live since he has no place to stay.

There's significantly a comparison that Lino Brocka derives from this film about the plight of the Filipino as a laborer and unjustified practices by the employer. Atong's fate is tragic. He was killed and his sister ended up work as a prostitute in a bar, and his bedridden father brought about of being paralyzed was burn to death when the slums area suspiciously catches fire during the Christmas season. Another of Julio's companions in the construction site became employed in an advertising company because of his eagerness to being a working student. In the event of the story, each character shows the different lives of the Filipino, how the ways of surviving poverty, unemployment, unjustly crimes and the means of living into one of the victimizers in this urban called hell.

Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag had different episodes that were justifiably served. On one of the episodes, Julio is enticed to become a street hustler in exchange for quick cash. Used his body and swallowed his pride, dignity, manhood and allured by the promises of a bright future by the neon lights as everyone landed in the city. This film comes from reality based on the situations living in Manila. Every detail will make you feel the pain and agony being betrayed and it will uncover the leash of the abusers. It will cross the mind of the viewer the question that "where on earth do these people existed and never been caught ". Being a patriot or a hero won't be able to find a solution to change the situation.One might think the film is worth to watch and will leave a mark that opened the eyes that living under a depressed state and became a victim is a choice. Though the film is subjected to how badly wounded the characters are and is, still it showed the reality of the choices of every Filipino. The big mark is not only the effect but the cause of all the chaos, it is not where sweat, blood, and tears are within commerce, and those who are ignorant enough to get enchanted by its grandiose promises are oppressed and forever trapped in its clutches but the reality that mongers, infiltrators, syndicate and power hungered people are do existed and should not blame the choices of the Filipino only. It is an open invitation to all Filipinos that it is high time to fight their rights and start living under the truth.

At the end of the story, Julio was caught in the dead-end street nowhere to go and decided he kill himself before the gangster ready to beat him up to death. That is the actual state of a scenario feeling being trapped and nowhere to go...do, we fight or plight. Lino Brocka ended the story this way to show from Julio's plight is inevitable because of his choice, it was based on emotions and not in convictions.

The director of this film perfectly given the choices for every Filipino, "Are we going to stand, or are we going to run?

Ligaya Paraiso is our very own country the Philippines, it is a place to live (Ligaya) peacefully and honorably (Paraiso) by its countrymen the Filipinos.

Hence, in the event of searching, longing and being discontented on its own given opportunities there are some Filipinos who were willingly overcome by their greediness and selfish ambitions.

Historically speaking, it has something related in the past that our country was once slaved and abused by foreigners and infiltrators.Their teachings, customs, and traditions were passed from ages to ages.The motives and attitudes were also influenced by them.

Colonization, it was brought about as part of future modernization but there are hidden agenda.

In history, only educated Filipinos were given a chance to mingled and be part of the changes and eventually they were being used and abused too.

Ligaya Paraiso represents innocence and vulnerability in the attacks of the enemies.

Her plight and being traumatized by the attackers is the exact reaction and state of being threatened.The feeling of being paralyzed of fears of the antagonist. Our country once was happy and free became slaved and trapped by the evil ones.

Unfortunately, there are some Filipinos were convinced and controlled by them. The purity that once was the main characteristic of a Filipino was taken away by the opportunist.

The cry of Ligaya Paraiso is the cry of our countrymen, her undying love for her child is the symbol of the undying love to the next generation.

The broken pieces of her soul shout out the agonies and the uncertainty over the future.

What strikes in the mind of Ligaya Paraiso is to stay where she was trapped unknowingly that she was slowly losing her dignity and right to withstands the possible solution until he Met again Julio Madiaga, who intentionally and purposefully driven by his will.

His character in the film signifies that there are Filipinos who were willingly loose their very own life to fight what they think is right. In his journey also shows the possibility of being swayed by emotions in searching justice and truth.

Driven by emotions per se is not only the solution. It can be done most recognizably. This film was one good example of opening the eyes of the Filipinos and to let them think what are the better ways to fight for their rights and start living in under the truth.

Though Julio who was having thoughts on how to help Ligaya, still his focus eventually went into a mess by clinging into his emotions and that is exactly some Filipino just wanted to get even and their focus of having a good stand and dignity was beginning to be driven away.

Finally, all the details of this film can be seen into ones stand and conviction using the art of film making to ensure the welfare of his countrymen in the future, the voice of the next generation, his attributes that made the present Ligaya and Julio today was once fought by his and through his masterpiece- film making a strong and loud medium.

Similarly Speaking, INSIANG another film directed by him.

This was produced during Martial law. It was also temporarily banned because it contradicted the propaganda of Ms. Imelda Marcos.

It shows that this film elaborates again on the situations of every Filipino family and plight on how to combat it against the evil one.

Insiang was produced in 1976 violent-drama footages that mostly shows the plight of filipino women on the hands of their attackers.The story was situated in the slums of Tondo, Manila, the film stars Hilda Koronel as a hardworking daughter who mainly just want to help her always complaining mother (Mona Lisa whose involved with a much-younger lover (Ruel Vernal) who eventually raped her. As part of her plan to her who sought a lover but also left her without reason (Rez Cortez), Insiang felt betrayed and wanted to seek revenge.

The story evolved about a young girl who grew in the slums. It shows the reasons why the violence occurred due to overcrowded neighborhoods; the absence of human dignity due to poor social environment and the need for change. Relatively speaking its attributed as part of the consequences of being rape and to revenge in end.

A very gross scene as an introduction was done in a slaughterhouse killing violently pigs,

The process was quite normal showing how almost brutally killed and pushed into big boiling water while hearing the groaning of the pigs, the cutting, poaching the ribs, head cutting and limbs chopping. The sound and movements of the poachers that could give you goosebumps and almost felt like vomiting.

The blood oozing from limbs to limbs showing the carcasses of the pigs, hanged and swung from end to end, leaving no space to stop and pause to check if anyone was misplaced or still moving. As if no mercy at all since it was an Animal then.

The areas chosen by the director were depressed, misplaced and taunted that could emphasize the present situations of the country back then. Poverty was the number one issue during the '70s, especially those who live in the slums areas of Tondo Manila which a place that is commonly feared for. Uncontrolled growth of the population and unemployment rate rose up.

Lino Brocka’s 1976 Insiang, a woman who came from a very poor family that made her decision to work hard but still it's not enough. A Picture of an environment of destitution and abused by attackers and left her thought that revenge is an answer. On which she can only struggle violently, and vainly. The film was an expression of Lino Brocka’s sentiment to every poor Filipinos, he portraits the everyday walks of life in certain depressed areas.

Certainly, the roots of her misery extend all the way home, where her mother, Tonia (Mona Lisa), bitter about her husband’s departure, kicks her financially strapped in-laws to the curb so she might have her young lover, Dado (Ruel Vernal), move in, before proceeding to badger her daughter into a Machiavellian rage. Beset by maternal resentment, Bebot’s love-’em-and-leave-’em callousness, and Dado’s perverse tendencies, Insiang plots her revenge, with Brocka expertly dramatizing the (understandable, if not prudent) reasons for each character’s behavior.

Representation of urban poverty, the film explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and despair.

The film was a typical plot about a victim and the revenge that leads to destructive effects on both parties. The mother and daughter relationship was crushed after the incident in which the daughter was blamed to protect the existing relationship of her mother's lover. And this leads to the distraught feeling of the victim. In order fulfilled to revenge, Insiang made a drastic move by attracting her rapist to gain his attention and pretends that she wants to have a relationship but to make an act of successful revenge towards her former lover Bebot(Rez Cortex) who was killed by her assailant. To have all her revenge her rapist was caught by her mother and tragically killed in front of her daughter only to be put behind bars for her misdeeds.

During the time that her mother was killing her rapist, she just stood up and watch him killed violently. This shows that her anger that brought her into the moment without thinking that in the end, her very own mother will suffer the consequences that she planned.

In the last part of the film where she visited her mother, she was rejected when she started showing that she is trying to let her mother know that all she wants is her love and affection.

This story was existed before and as high as the number one case of rape and lead to murder. Especially in very poor areas where there is no protection for women and children. They are always the target and became a victim.The sad part of it that justice more often than not was not given.

Lino Brocka made this film as an awakening about the present situation of the Philippines that justice is not always served and the family ties are becoming weak because of high unemployment rates, poverty escalated and there are no programs yet to enhance the life of the Filipinos especially the children.There are no laws that will protect children and women.

The government is deaf in does of the victims. During that era, a million of cases of rape and murders are never heard and were not given a chance to be solved at all.

Insiang is a symbol of how women are so weak and fragile during those times but were not given importance. Their rights against violence and abusive situations that sometimes after being a victim to worsen their situations became a prostitute and all the more exploited.

In this film family, ties and values were also tackled.In the event of having a family the Filipino culture of being dependent even after marriage is far beyond issues. Married children are still clinging to their parents and the worst their needs were still a responsibility given by their parents even it is hard for them to do so.

Unemployment is the number of problems that the government cannot solve by that time due to Avery low foreign investors who can tie up in the government and also 8t is not yet the priority of the government.

The effect of this problem is the high rate of crimes is everywhere and mot of the time it occurred in the depressed areas like the slums. Men are becoming violent into their wives, they become a problem in the family and society. The Director's mindset about the negligence of the government is seen in the entire story these were shown in the different characters the reactions and conversations contents where drastically proved the condition of the hearts of every Filipino family who are presently suffering.

This gives the person after watching the film thought of how he or she can contribute to help the change in society. The center of it that becoming a victim and the plan to avoid it can be done by the help of not a person only but the whole unit and that is the family.

Filipinos are family-centered and their values are important on how their role in the society that can make a difference. Instead of revenge, it can be undone by the proper collaboration from the people who have power and control on the government program and the priority would be canter in the family needs of every Filipino. The culture and traditions of the Filipino are originally strong by its spiritual conviction and strong values about the family. Lack of education areas the main reason for making a family strong and ready to have a family. The top priority of the government is not just to tackle every detail of the problems but the cause of it. The program base and facing reality are the most effective solutions.

After what happened in the life of Insiang the problem was not solved through her revenge but the worst of it all the more it did not solve but rather it aggravated the situation. Being imprisoned and being desolatedare not the end of the story at all.

It's was an open-ended question on the mind of a viewer but by these points were justifiably brought out by the director's mindset that was perfectly raised in the eyes of every Filipino may it be individually impacted or as the whole family.

The whole story has made up a very good declaration based on the reality of what was happening in the country. It is also a declaration that the Filipino has an entire choice on how to combat the existing problems not only by sulking and fell on the trap of self-pity. That there are a thousand ways to fight poverty, crimes and most of all to bring back the government as the main source of a helping hand to everyone.

The film has also used a very wise and convincing tactic to open the hearts of the Filipino not to revenge but to learn and know how to become aware of their rights and how to pursue their dreams and goals in life no matter how impossible the situation is and are.

#Indie Film #Indie Filipino Film Reaction #Filipino Film #Maynila Sa Kuko ng Liwanag #Insiang #Lino Brocka #Filipino Cinema

0 notes

ermojas · 7 years ago

Text

Live Drunk Watch of Sherlock s01e03 "The Great Game"

From the studio that drunk-watched TSoT, TRF, and TSoT again, we bring you: “The Great Game that Made Sherlock Realize He Loved John, like Love Loved Him. Also There’s a Moriarty”

This round, the rules are as follows: Drink every time you want to smack their heads together, lips first.

Here we go!

- I really dont get the point of this Belarus scene except to point out that Sherlock hates bad grammar. He flew all the way for this? Drove? Where’s Belarus?

- God, has his voice always been this deep? I’ve been reading fic all wrong.

- Drink every time a scene opens with making you think sherlock is getting a blowjob

- Oh my god John is all shy when he asks if he liked his first case blog entry.

- disclaimer i have read a thousand fics amd watched zero episodes in months, so actually seeing them on screen is a bit of a trip and i should not have mixed this with alcohol i am not prepared send help send

- Newsflash john aint mad cuz you insulted his blog, hes mad cuz you said nothing else matters but the work. NEW MIRROR: JOHN = SOLAR SYSTEM. THATS WHY LATER SHERLICK,CALLS THE STARS BEAUTIFUL. JOHN THOUGHT SHERLOCK WOULD DELETE HIM BUT HE DIDNT. IM DYING.

- oh my god instead of greeting mrs h he just spreads out on the couch like a cat, oh my god

- ok plot hole, john was literally thirty yards from the flat when it exploded. There’s no way he didnt hear it. By the timing of the scene, he coulda been in the blast. Everything from the flat exploding on is in Johns mind bungalow. Explosion Mind Palace.

- What the hell is a lilow, why wont anyone tell me. is it the same as a “lino”?

- There are 0.000009 reasons why John didnt sleep in Sarah’s bed and all of them are named Just Had a Domestic with my Boyfriend.

- Say hi to Travis, hes the one guy in Production that has to light John’s eyelashes at all time. He gets paid more than Sue.

- I want the inner monologue of johns self fladjulating tube ride

- WHAT THE HELL IS A LIE LOW YOU LEMONY BASTARDS

- Did he say Battersea station for the smashed in head guy? Is that important?

- I want to marry Johns hair in this episode. Sherlocks hair can officiate.

- Theres so much exposition. This is episode 3.

- My favorite thing about the Speedys sign is that it implies the three meals of the day are Breakfast, Lunch, and Pasta.

- I love how John does his shoulder walk as soon as sherlock says to get his phone out of his pocket. He’s not tense cuz he’s annoyed, he’s tense because he’s summoning the memory of Afghanistan to avoid a boner. Shameful

- Oh gawd it’s trainer deducing time. I need another drink.

- This whole show is Sgerlock making john do things he doeznt wanna do. Like confront his sexuality.

- Carl powers, child with big feet, is sherlock. Stay with me here. Big feet equals libido. Carl came from Sussex (sussex is where shelrock’s crime brain retires and his heartslashdick takes over). Suffered from exzema = discomfort with skin (outer visibility, opinions of the masses). Carl is also a symbol of sherlock before trauma, wbere he began supressing his humanity. Drowned in the pool (emotion). Only moriarty remembers (he knows where sherlocks heart is). The shoes are john because they reopen the case. Also they are an old soul/sole but well loved. Nibody noticed they were missing except Sherlock. And he found them in Baker st. Is this a meta? Or am i drunk?

- Why does their kitchen door slide.

- “I’m not ignoring it. Putting my BEST MAN onto it right now.” “Good. Who’s that?” Ummm hiii TSoT, how are you. Leave please.

- Did john wear a suit and tie just to see mycroft??? Cuuuute season 1 babyyyy

- I love how they call businessmen City Boys. Why is everything British so much cuter/pornier.

- Sally shouts “Fishing. Try fishing,” at John and then he immediately grabs Sherlock��s card and follows him. Honey i think John is the fish.

- I misremembered the Height of his Cheekbones

- Connie Prince is Culverton Smith, pass it on. This started out drunk and fun but now its all wild hair and peanuts.

- Around the world is Czech Republic, Cornwall, and Yorkshire.

- John doesn’t like pussy.

- I have drank too much

- Mrs. H said “I should never wear cerise. It drains me.” LOOK UP THE COLOR CERISE. Is that not the exact color the pink lady was wearing? Is mrs H the pink lady cuz she brought them together?

kinda

- Travis had to work hard during the Prince house scene.

- House boy???? Seriously britain???

- When sherlock sends the blog posts it sounds like a man breathing in. Like irenes texts are a woman breathing out. Somethin there. Lazy.

- Old lady got shot for saying moriarty sounded “so soft.” Ha. Nothing there to analyze, i imagine. Carrybon.

- My favorite thing in tjis epsiode are lazy news graphics and lestrades dad tummy

- OATMEAL JUMPER OATMEAL JUMPER JUMPER OATMEAL

- Sherlock is passive aggressive and john falls for it. Every. Time.

- John is Peak Bangs here. Peak Bangs. (Fringe, sorry lie lows)

- You can see the Golem’s shadow for a second while Sherlock is explaining him to Lestrade. And these people “accidentally” let John’s hair grow 12 inches in an hour in s4.

- Lestrade saying “and happy new year” after sherlock says “meritricious” is the new “God bless you” after a sneeze. Pass it on.

- The painting is a fake. The old art is a lie. You can tell because the stars are new. HINT HINT.

- “Strawberry jam on the line” is sherlock in TRF, ya welcome.

- Memory stick seems important but turns out to be meaningless to the villain. HMMM SEEMS INSIGNIFICANT AND NONE OF SEASON 4 IS IN SHERLICKS HEAD - “What would you like me to make him say next?” HOW ABOUT ITS NOT ALL FINE I WANT YOU

- God, you guys, just kiss

- Seirously, all it would take is a little pencil on top of Moriarty’s arches and then brush a brow gel upward. He has a good shape and density already, he just needs the thickness.

- - I loce.johns little nod at sherlock befor ehe pointed the gun at the jacket. One inch of chin movement = go ahead, kill us all. Like an old marrie dcouple, these two.

#tgg #sherloc #johnlock #tjlc #drunk sherlock #the great game #drunk rewatch #sherlock meta #valuable discoveries #thank you for readin #i lovey ou #you are the best and wisest man #sherlock

98 notes · View notes

mkdimasacat-blog · 5 years ago

Text

MIDTERMS PART 2

Dimasacat Michael Kim

MAYNILA, SA KUKO NG LIWANAG by Lino Brocka

For a long period of existence of Film Industry in the Philippines, a lot of movies were released with different storyline, genre and theme. Almost forty years ago, a masterpiece was created which considered as one of the greatest film in the field of Philippine cinema.

A film which directed by an influential filmmaker Cartalino Ortiz Brocka or famously known as Lino Brocka. He conquered filmmaking industry with the concept of social issues and reality happens to the Filipinos. He had much great works that put significance not only to film industry but also to have awareness in the society we belong and its actual scenario. One of that is Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag. It was based on the written work of Edgardo Reyes entitled Manila, In the Claws of Brightness. This film revealed the face of Manila during mid 70's especially labor issues and how Filipinos were embraced the pain of being a worker in order to survived from poverty. It was led by legendary actors and actresses such as Mr. Mr. Rafael Aranda "Bembol" Rocco Jr. who portrayed the main character Julio Madiaga with Ms. Hilda Koronel as Ligaya Paraiso. The story is about to a life of a fisher man who went to manila to find his lover who first went and adventured for her and family’s dreams.

In the very beginning, the mood of the story set through the help of colors and texture of the film. The black and white represent how Manila will be an instrument that suffer pain and society’s illnesses affects to the main character. It was associated by audio which sounds like dramatic and served as hint for the next scenerios. Julio followed Ligaya to manila. Ligaya took by a woman and offered a very flowery description of work and future for her family. Julio met different people but sadly he was still looking for Ligaya. But he found the woman who took Ligaya in manila and this woman who calls Julio as Mrs. Cruz, entered in a establishment owned by Chinese. He suspected that Ligaya was inside this establishment. In order to survive, he work as construction man somewhere in Cubao but suddenly he was needed to find new job because the contract was almost done. The town where Julio came from has a simple living. Fishing was a decent and traditional kind of work yet doesn't have huge amount money that's why it was looked as not professional just like white collar job. In manila, there are many kinds of immorality and indecent work. This comparison of the town where Julio came from and to Manila were reflection of the Filipinos who take risk and go to Manila without assurance to better opportunity. As a Manila boy, I really want to have changes especially to the injustice system and immoral things of society. In my personal experience, I am very scared about deteriorating happenings of society's unrighteous system. Sometimes I being attentive when I walk on the streets because of different news about crimes and worse case is murdering.

On the next scenarios, he found a construction site and hired him by a cruel and greedy foreman. He worked very hard yet his salary was very low and insufficient for his daily living. Until he met Atong, one of his co-workers who have helpful heart, he gave

Julio instruction and advice. Atong represent the laborers who followed the system because he needs money more that the rights they need. In his mind, he knew and wanted to escape the rules and system of his work but he didn’t know how to. He also met Imo who work and study for his future. Imo is the character who always enlighten the Filipinos especially laborers that education will lead them to a better future. Suddenly, the construction site he works for, needed to cut down the numbers of their workers and he was one of the workers who eliminated. Julio remained hopeful to find Ligaya until one day he saw her in a church. Yes, it was during Martial Law when the film was released, yet the status of society was not even closed to the law that enforced to the nation. Still, many people were losing their jobs and suffered more poverty. Just like when the two main character talked about life of both of them in Manila. It sounds horrible when they realized that going to Manila made your life worse than living in their town. The possibilities of having a better future was denied due to the greediness of powerful person without considering the beneficial effects to majority Filipinos. They only think about the money and wealthiness of their lives. This is the reason why many Filipinos who are in the lower class of society force to do unrightfully things. As a result, the entire nation is like a forest where the strongest will survive and the weak will die. The poor are prey while rich are predators that in a glimpse of an eye, the society become a food chain.

As continuously revealing of the face society, it was shown when they planned to escape whatever miserable happenings to their life by going back to their town. But in that night, Ligaya was died. Julio felt mixed emotions. The Chinese man who was being in love with Ligaya was the same man who killed her. That pushed Julio to revenge and planned how to kill him. In the very last part, the scene showed reminiscence of Julio and Ligaya’ loved in their town. In that scene, the idea of social status of the nation was well-defined as not opportunity of better future of one's life when you go to Manila. In fact, many lives became worsen because the battle ground makes little more than living in a province. It is just like in education; many students might graduate but not everyone will become rich or having a prosperous life.

Later on, Julio saw the Manila’s dark side. He found many issues and problematic situation of life in Manila. In that several scenarios, the film became realization of how’s system in labors work in the manner of inequality, lack of rights as workers and injustice treatment of the people above of the system. The society in the year 1975 was fully showed in the film. But until now, we really see and feel it. In accordance to the technical matters, the flexibility of the characters’ mode of portrayal was delivered with deep connection to the audience. It was effectively conveyed to the viewers because of the diverse style and attack of screenplay such as presenting the humor of the workers’ despite of the hardship in their life. The dialogues with different emotions and expression provided by the writers were properly carried by the actors. Even the facial expression was very convincing on their roles and single scene’s message.

Aside from that, the social context of the film precisely involves to the issues and happenings in the current society. The persuasive and the influences of the film were beneficial to open the eyes of many Filipinos and to thrive to be waked. Another tackled

issue was the prostitution. It was huge and problematic of our society. Either with consent or not, forced or willing to do prostitution, still it is a sign of destitution. They need to survive so even if it is truly wrong, they still do it. For the sake of little amount, they neglect and swallow their dignity and pride.

As a whole, the film is a huge realization of Manila then and now. Brocka and Reyes are the person who open our eyes and spirit to the society we have. We really need to find ways how to change the injustice system and make more rightful things. It is also a slapped to us about mislead and misconception that Manila is the opportunity arena for everyone's life. Maybe some on us will stay on what they think about Manila, still we need to accept the truth. MANILA is just a place. But success is on our hands with enough skill, and proper manner.

INSIANG MOVIE REVIEW by Lino Brocka

At the very beginning of the movie, we could see pigs that are being slaughtered right in front of our eyes. It was a bold and raw thing to see since we had no idea why did the director of the movie put that over there in the movie and why in the very start. For me I thought it was just like a normal fill for the movie or just a stabilizing shot. Little did I know that in the end of the movie I would know the reason why the director put that gore scene at the first sequence of the movie. Moments later, the movie starts to show a family who are eating in a small house and by the looks of it, they are living in poverty and their struggle is how to survive on a day to day basis without having any problems.

As the movie progresses, they slowly showed that there were two families living on that house. The mother of Insiang, and a family friend who needed a place to stay in so the mother of Insiang insisted of taking them all in their house. There were stabilizing shots in the movie which showed the slums/ hood part of Manila. The side that the few doesn’t want to see and they want to forget about the people living in that place since that place is like a waste land and filled with garbage. Because of this, Most people living there had make shift houses from scraps like old pieces of wood , rusty metal wires, bent nails and old spare tires to add weight to their roof so when the rain comes and strong winds blow, their roof tops wont fly because of the strong wind currents. For me, this scene should be more put into focus since this is one of the many main problems here on our country. Also the point that most people there are over populated which makes them have a harder time to earn money since the quantity of people eating on their homes are a lot. There was this scene in which one of the sub characters was drunk with friends early in the morning and because of this, they had a little thing on almost raping this innocent girl who was just there to sell them food and drinks in the sari sari store they were staying at. This problem could still be seen in current events. But the difference today from before the time they shot the movie was today the voice of the women are now being heard by a lot of people and by the looks of it, there is a lot of improvement in this issue. Women can now report this to the police and the people who cat called/ disrespect them would be fined 15,000 pesos from what I have heard from the news.

Another issue from the movie that they showed was the abusive mother/parent of Insiang. Her own mother didn’t believed her and chose to side with her “boyfriend” who was clearly just using her to get near to Insiang. The abusive step father thing today could still be considered as one of the problems in the country but they are not that so publicly shown. Sadly I know people who struggle with their abusive step parents. In the end of the movie , I remember that Insiang finally had her revenge on all of the people who hurt her and it was all strategically planned from the very beginning. She used her mothers’ anger to kill the step father who clearly raped her while she slept.

BATCH 81 FILM REVIEW

At the very first part of the movie, there was this bubbly type of music which is kind of misleading to the dark truth of this film. It was like taken from a carnival or an old cartoon in which the scene would be the main antagonist would chase the protagonist in a loop.

After watching the movie, I realized that the stories of my friends who joined fraternities like tau gamma , apo , and tbs were real. The things that they would do to you before you could enter or join their botherhood. To be honest I really don’t know why do people want to join fraternities so bad just like Sid Lucero in the movie. Is it because they lack the love of their parents? Or just simply because they want to be “cool” in the eyes of their co-leagues. When I was still in highschool, I remember a close friend of mine who is a high academic achiever student asked me if I wanted to join a frat near our school. He said that if we would join, we would be untouchable to bullies since the original members of the frat would help us beat anyone who disrespects us. I respectfully declined the offer of my friend. Months later I heard a news that he had a trouble with a professor who bad mouthed him and disrespected him in front of the whole class and days later, the car of our professor was stabbed with a knife on the tires and on the side was a spray paint message stating “do not mess with us”. Things like this on our school are not ignored and they took responsibility as soon as possible. My friend who was now a member of the frat got kicked out of the school with a penalty of paying our professor a new set of wheels and a new paintjob. Till this day, I won’t forget the way our professor looked because that was the first time I saw a professor being afraid of his student. After this incident I knew that the reason why my friend joined that frat was because he had enemies outside the school due to his easily angered personality.

He has this war freak attitude which made him a violent person and because of this, he easily crosses paths with other students or people who are near to him. But to me, he is just a misunderstood person.

To me he was my brother. Like a big brother to me who just wants things to be done in his own way but due to his personality, it doesn’t always work the way he wants it to be. In the modern day life, we could still see the strive for dominance in this society. An example for that would be, who wants to sit in the presidency table to lead their country and people who want to enter the congress just so that they could get a hand of the money laundering happening under the table of the people who are living in the country. In the end of this film, the protagonists finally got what they wanted and they are now part of the brotherhood and is now considered as a “master” to the next batches who also want to join the Alpha Kappa Omega fraternity. For me, this cycle for dominance has been already around for thousands of years. Imagine life before us and during the times of the Jurassic times. The top predators compete for their next meal and for some, they fight for their territory.

As time progresses, the fight for dominance would always be there ever present to what ever era or generation it is. People want to be the star or leader to a specific group. Like who would not want to become the high command of people willing to do anything what the high tables say.

KAKABAKABA KA BA film review

The movie for me was a lot trippy and kind of odd to the other films that we have watched since the movie had a spice of comedy and a lot more racism than the other ones.

The movie showed how the stereotypical people portrayed the Chinese people and the Japanese people before or during the 80’s times. They mimicked how the Chinese people talked and how they were seen in the movie playing and gambling with friends and while the Japanese as Yakuza mafia people. How they used people to transfer their cash and how would they cut the fingers of the mule if they would get caught.

Another scene that would hit us would be how they showed that the people who are running the churches are just using that as a front but they are actually earing more money behind the scenes because of what the people are. This shows us how the higher countries are just using the Filipinos as victims of the underground forces of the Japanese and the Chinese people and the religious people. There were also scenes there that showed the nuns and the priests singing and dancing mimicking what they do during the mass hours inside the churches but that is just a distraction so that the Filipinos wouldn’t see or understand what they are really doing under the tables. There is no doubt that the movie shows a lot of cultural and racial problems such as stereotypes and racism. If the movie was shown to us today, it would be highly unaccepted and most likely it would receive a lot of bashes in the social media and the producer would probably have a lot of death threats and hate mail or worse, a time at the jail for showing an explicit movie plot.

But during the time it was shot and directed, I believe that it was the main reason why the movie was created and the whole story of the movie was just a mask so that it could get the message covered and the director just wanted the viewers to understand and grasp the hidden message of the movie. The offensive points of the story back then was really impactful to the viewers point of view. But in the end, this movie should be seen by a lot of people today since the main message of the movie could still be implied to today’s world problems. If only directors and script writters would still write movies as bold as the movies before during the 80’s to todays time not just some random stand up comedy movies as we could see on today’s movie genres and movie titles. We need more films like this that would really make the viewers think of the scenarios and on why would the director put that on the movie script. Is he or she thinking of something or it was just simply for entertainment. Before what I also noticed was that most of the films before was musical and I think a reason for that is because Filipinos love to dance and sing a lot. And to get the approval of most viewers, the directors used that factor to get the attention of most of the viewers. That musical vibe to the theme. A part of all of the things added to the film, the thing that really hit me was the movie showed how in the early 80’s they made films so trippy that even in the movie scenes the main characters got a chance to be high. During one of the times the group of protagonists visited a friend, they tried on getting high on one of the vhs tapes that they brought to the groups friend. In the next few minutes of the movie, it showed how the three of them were tripping and even had the visuals of getting high to mix with the scenes being portrayed in the movie. Its funny because during the 80s from what ive heard, that was the time cocaine was booming in business with the whole world and it was the next thing people tried after weed/ pot sessions.

0 notes

thistime-iwillbelistening · 8 years ago

Text

Orapronobis: Film To Provoke People’s Power

One of the few films that explicitly tackled the violence and brutality faced by the Philippines during the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos is Lino Brocka’s Orapronobis (Fight for Us). Despite the film being set after Marcos’ fall, the theme of being against Marcos is still apparent.

The most-striking attribute of Lino Brocka’s Orapronobis is this film is straightforward a political film, which actuated Brocka’s prominence in this genre. It didn’t need to be a political film disguised as a family-drama as Dekada ’70 or a subtle parallelism made in Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon but an upright political film centered about a released political detainee Jimmy Cordero, potrayed by Phillip Salvador and a murderous cult called Orapronobis headed by Commander Kontra (Bembol Roco).

Cordero, a former priest, became a peaceful human rights activist after his release and refrained from coming back to his old toil. Even with the end of the brutal dictatorial regime, human rights violations remain existent – this is supported by accounts that the Orapronobis, which were notorious for the murder of a foreign priest, performs bloodthirsty work in the small town of Santa Filomena. Despite the opposition of his wife, Trixie, Jimmy and his brother-in-law joined a fact-finding mission to authenticate this claim. They uncovered that the group harasses the whole town especially those they accuse of being communists – actually slaughtering a few men walking on the streets who firmly assert are not part of the communist movement. Jimmy and his team were even surprised to discover that the local government allows the Orapronobis with their killing sprees which led the team help the townspeople to evacuate into the church and eventually to Manila. During their stay in the refugee camp, the villagers were still invaded by the group and together with a masked man, imitating a Makapili during the Japanese occupation, identified and accused some men to be rebels. The victims tried to ask for help from the new government but the state remained silent about all the occurrences revolving around the accused communists. Jimmy’s former girlfriend Esper and their son were also abducted by the group. Commander Kontra sexually and physically assaulted Esper in front of Camilo but Esper fought back, shooting Kontra several times. Fueled by rage, Kontra indiscriminately killed them and all of the townspeople they held captive. All of the corpses were then seen carried out to the town and after Jimmy saw the remains of Esper and carried his son, he contacted his friend considering on going back to the revolutionary movement even though they were just ambushed a few days/weeks ago leaving his brother-in-law a casualty.

This film implicitly shows how the democracy which was deliberately nabbed by the Marcoses and was sold by the Aquino administration remains weak and still wasn’t fully given to the Filipino people. The militarization of the nation is still evident on parts of the country and even though some of the political prisoners were freed, political activists especially communists were still being massacred without due process of law. This film, not only criticizes the oppression of the state but also trying to highlight the nobility of political activism. As Rolando Tolentino stated, “Brocka was reiterating the organized left’s position that the mass movement was the most effective means for individual and social transformation.” The revolution has probably won during the Marcos regime but the fight is still not over until fascism, injustice and oppression exists in the country. As long as the state lacks regard to the marginalized communities, as long as those with authority abuses their power, as long as Filipinos are groundlessly being oppressed, subjugated and murdered, revolutionaries and activists will continue to fight for the Filipino people’s rights.

The film also tries to underline that the fall of the “conjugal dictatorship” did not happen as peaceful as it seems but rather years of activism paid with great price– supported by the existence of political prisoners and families asking for the government’s help on trying to find their missing loved ones. The liberation of our nation from the atrocities of Marcos actually cost torture, abuse and bloodshed but such horrors never truly vanished on the hands of the Aquino administration. This film was subversive and bold that the government initially banned its screening up until it made noise abroad and started to gain the attention of the Filipinos.

Orapronibis also accentuated the concept of the media being a social institution that not only disseminates information to the mass but could serve as intermediary between the public and the state. And it shows that one of the fruit of the fall of Marcos was the regain of liberty of the mass media – that it can air subjects that criticizes the government shown in scenes where Jimmy alongside his team talks about Human Rights activism in a television show. While on the subject of human rights activism, the film shed light on the purpose of such movement which was frequently questioned not only by those in power but also the uninformed public – that their objective is to stop the authorities, which in this case is the state-supported Orapronobis, from abusing their power and their execution of people without due process. Such occurrence is still evident in the present days regarding the war on crimes the Duterte administration openly promotes.

Furthermore, Orapronobis’ message was for the people to not just constantly enable the state but also criticize its authority especially on times when the rights of the Filipinos are at stake. As opposed to what happened to Jimmy, the public should not allow the atrocities of the government to directly affect their own lives before taking a stand against exploitation. The Filipino people should know their power and their collective action is and will always be more superior than the state.

References

Cruz, Oggs. 2006. Lessons From the School of Inattention. http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2006/09/orapronobis-1989.html.

Tolentino, Rolando. 2012. "Marcos, Brocka, bernal, City Films, and the Contestation for Imagery of Nation."

Tolentino, Rolando. 2011. "Vaginal Economy: Cinema and Globalization in the Post-Marcos, Post-Brocka Philippines."

#editorial #philippine films #filipino films #films #orapronobis #lino brocka #marcos #martial law

0 notes

nikkifilm · 5 years ago

Text

Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) & Insiang (1976), dir. Lino Brocka

Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag had a small cast, yet it was effective enough to be able to portray what the director wanted to show the audience. For the most part of it, I find myself being drawn to the movie which is definitely a good thing, by the way, but in all honesty, I don't like how the turn of events follow throughout the film. I didn't like what was happening in the movie, but it doesn't necessarily mean that I don't like the movie itself; there's a thin grey line there. I do get the point that the plot of the film isn't exactly rainbows and sunshines, but it was all so heavy to take in. Although yes, that is the point, and maybe it says about how harsh life can be when set foot to the city of Manila where you think it's where you'll become successful yet only a start of something that could change your life forever. I happen to always put myself in the characters' shoes in every film, whether it may be something I have experienced myself or not. It's a way for me to be able to comprehend and fully understand what the characters are going through and how they deal with it. I'd say one is a good movie when it makes me feel something. Since I was able to empathize with the characters in this movie despite the differences in the generation, experience, and status in life, I was still able to feel for them, and that I think is what makes it a good movie for me.

The same can be said on the other Lino Brocka film, Insiang. The characters in the film aren't a lot too, yet it effectively shown what its message is. I adore how the characters are all unique in their own way and have their respective personalities. They all have their own voice in the movie, regardless if their character is likeable or not. To some extent, you are able to see some gradual character developments in the film despite the setting being the same places over and over again. Especially with the main character, Insiang. You'd see how she's very passive and innocent-like. It's as if despite all the things that had happened to her, she still doesn't try to fight back. She attempts to get help from the people she trust but to no avail. I've been waiting that if not any of the people in the film can help her, maybe she'd help herself by finally fighting back and standing up for herself. What we did see though is her doing things unexpected of her, like how she starts to seduce and give in to Dado when she was harassed by him without being scared of what her mother nor her boyfriend would react about it. It then turn out to be Insiang using Dado as a way to get revenge on her boyfriend and her using her mother's anger towards Dado's betrayal in order to drive her to murder Dado as a way to get revenge on both him and her mother.

With regards to the style or visual of Maynila, the setting really do depict the contrast between rural and urban areas. The setting has this realistic vibe that builds up to the scenes and blends well with its entire plot. This adds up to the realistic approach the film wants to put. Also considering the time this was made, the cinematography is well put out. I'm quite impressed how they've managed to pull of some of the shots. With the era this has been made where there are little to no resources with regards to visual or special effects, the film has successfully achieved a visually pleasing masterpiece. The shots are done raw and all so naturally which is just right for the entirety of the film. In terms of the narrative, it's immensely focused on the character of Julio, how we can see his development that would later turn into his transformation into a violent person. I love this way or storytelling because you, as a viewer, would feel more connected to the film and get invested to the character that would have a greater impact. In this way, not only do you get emotionally invested, it makes you want to watch the film as you get hooked waiting for what would happen next. As I watched the film, I was able to see that and also feel empathy for the main character. It's something that rarely occurs to a film that you may not be familiar with or a big fan of or something that doesn't really sparks your interest, and that says a lot about how this film was able to go beyond what you are expecting and makes you root for the character and as well as the entire plot.

For Insiang, however, the style and visual wise, it had shown the rawness of the lifestyle within a small town that is typical of the Philippine setting. The way they captured this goes the same with Maynila, and that's one of the little factors that makes you think that they are both made by a single director. It's pretty much similar to Maynila in a way that it depicts the way of life in a certain community and a certain household. You could also see some similarities with the actors and actresses in both films. What I was able to notice too is how the setting they utilize in the film are always fixed that you don't just see the places once or twice, it's pretty much shot within a particular area that is noticeable. There's nothing bad with that, though. It's in fact fascinating how they repeat the settings without it feeling dull and tiring. There's always something new or different within the setting that is constant throughout the film that enables you to observe how some of the characters progress or change and indicates how the story develops.

What I have observed from the film languages are how they have utilized the different angles in certain scenes that depict how a person is low down the slums or high above anyone else. It also indicates how something is important or when something is about to happen. There's nothing much to point out with regards to it, but the fact that they have used this as a means to tell something to audience is really prominent and I love how it speaks directly to the audience. You know when someone is connected or disconnected to a person. You also know when someone is trustworthy or sketchy. There have been a lot of this that plays around with the viewer's perspective. Nonetheless, it had been effective at delivering a message and telling a story behind it.

Applying the context of the Auteur Theory in both films from Lino Brocka, you'd see the similarities between the two in general. With Maynila, you see how it's a story about a man from province grew from innocent to violent because of anger and vengeance. Same goes to Insiang, you'd see how a simple girl from the slums of Manila grew from silent and passive to vengeful and passive-aggressive. Both of the main characters in the films have this common ground and goal. Same with how their character was developed into something they didn't use to be. What can be said from these similarities are how the director wants to send a message. Perhaps it had something to do with the repression. It can be seen in Maynila that the one who held Julio's girlfriend, Ligaya captive in the urban city is actually a Chinese. That subtly indicated that at that period there have been already a quarrel between the Philippines and China. As for Insiang, it is seen how the people she's close to or hold on to for help don't actually care for her and are not sincere. They all have their selfish minds and cruelty on Insiang which is why she turned on them. Perhaps it also tells something about repression, maybe something about how we have been colonized only to be used and abused.

The two films, besides having major similarities, have an identity that makes you think that it is a Lino Brocka film. By watching them, there's that unspoken truth that lies between the films that it is something made by this particular director. It reflects how he has these ideals and perspective in the Philippine context. Perhaps it's also safe to assume that he is driven or motivated to direct said films because of an underlying issue or problem that the country is facing.

Maynila tackled the social issue with regards to the twisted side of Manila, and how people from provinces are blinded by it. It shows their naivety, how they think highly of those who reside in Maynila. Although to some extent, I find it becoming extremely cliché, it's still the reality we have that's still happening up to this date; it probably have gotten worse throughout the ages. However, they don't only show the bad side of Maynila. They have also shown that despite the wrong people they've trusted and encountered along the way, there will always be people who are genuinely kind and concerned. It's a balance of the good and the bad side of Maynila, although the bad side of it is dominant; and as someone who grew up in Metro Manila, I do agree with it to a certain point. There are also scenes that show the side of the LGBT Community back in this era, that they are more objectified and stereotyped that aren't a good reflection of how they identify with compared to this day. They are seen more of a threat to the society and are only seen as people who are obsessed with men and sex, who would also do everything to make money out of prostitution and in exchange, pursue them.

On the other hand, Insiang had tackled more on the abusive side of Manila or the country in general, especially during those times. How particular women are always objectified and abused. These can be observed with the first few parts of the film, how the women in the film are abused or harassed and there is little to none justice to it besides personal vengeance from family members or friends. It's as if it's a norm and not considered as a crime or a sort of abuse compared to how sensitive a topic it is to this date. Rape culture in the country have also been tackled in this film, and it is alarming how back then, there weren't much protection for women and how lacking the generation was with its awareness towards rape. It also signifies how victims aren't heard but are often judged, and when it comes to asking for help, there are little to none that you can reach out to or would actually offer to help you with it. That being said, it had also talked about the toxic masculinity especially back then where men were in power compared to women and that they "own" the women they "love". Another is how in every conflict, it must be resolved through violence where in not only it is toxic but also unnecessary as not everything has to end up with that. It had also tackled the judgmental society, how every action that you make, regardless of what intentions you have or if it really is a fact, people will always talk about you the way they choose and want to see it. People create their own truth, and although this film didn't entirely focus on that, the fact that it is there speaks about the society we have back then and up to this date. Lastly, it also tackled about the toxicity within family members, that despite their abusive traits, you must stay with them because they are "blood". This is shown through Insiang's mother, how she talks down to Insiang and see her more as a maid than her daughter, ordering her around every time.

Maynila had a lot of scenes I personally didn't like, but doesn't necessarily affect the quality of the film. One of the things that I only find unnecessary in the movie were certain events like two of Julio's friends dying throughout the film, Perla's home burnt down, Julio being robbed by a cop, him encountering gay prostitutes, and so on. I find them completely absurd and irrelevant to the main plot of the film which mainly revolved (or at least what it implied) within Julio's job and the whereabouts of his significant other, Ligaya. I kept having questions as to what happened and how it led there, but these events are constantly happening in between the film which to some extent infuriates me until I get tired or bored of it. It made me grew frustrated, probably because they kept teasing like how they showed that one Chinese place Julio thinks Ligaya is in yet gets no leads or progress from it besides when he sees the lady that brought Ligaya in Maynila. Maybe it would've been much better if they put out some of those unnecessary scenes that I might as well call “fillers”. But I do get it though, it adds up to what I was talking about when they were trying to also show the bad side of Maynila. I also didn't like how they portrayed the LGBT Community but I do understand that it's different back then compared to today. But there is certainly no denying that I didn't like how that turned out to be.

Same with Insiang, there are also a number of scenes that I didn't like, and those are the aforementioned social issues that have been tackled in the film. One of those that I have mentioned that I particularly didn't like was the way they have shown how badly treated Insiang was, particularly women. I didn't like how the other women Insiang trusted turned back on her, especially her mother. Women are supposed to help each other against the repression against abusive men, but that wasn't shown in this. Although what substituted to that was how they shown Insiang develop into a vengeful woman and indirectly ruined their lives which is what I liked about it. It was powerful, they way she took revenge on the people who have hurt her. You would expect that she'd turn on them typically by forming an alliance or taking them down violently or anything that anyone would expect to happen. This one took a different perspective on vengeance, how she was able to take down the people who had hurt her without getting in trouble nor getting her hands dirty. It was something logical and psychological, and that's something I didn't expect from a film that's dated a few decades ago.

I find Maynila great despite of how a lot of things change in our society, views, and culture. Simply by looking at how things were way cheaper back then compared to now is already a big factor of change, which is why it's somehow challenging to be able to review a film from a different generation objectively especially since there had been drastic changes in the field of cinema as well. Nonetheless, it's fascinating how the movie can still speak to you and how there are things that haven't changed — like how some issues tackled in the film can still be seen nowadays, and it's alarming. It serves as an eye-opener to each and everyone of us, no matter where you came from. Whether you were born in Metro Manila, raised in the province, or vice versa, you will be able to feel for this film. It's how great its impact is, especially to the Filipino.

As for Insiang, it wasn't something I was expecting from the beginning to the end. It's very unpredictable and at the same time a great film. It's way ahead of its time, and it's also something that speaks to the audience, especially with the underlying messages and social issues that it has. Regardless of what period you are in, it's safe to assume that the issues that it tackles will always be relevant in the society you live in. It makes you think how these things are already occurring back then yet is still happening today. Although it's alarming, this film had managed to be able to send that message off to its viewers and that alone is something commendable for a film and a director. You'd see how Lino Brocka really has that deep kind if mindset towards these things and it does help you too, as an audience to become more wary of the society and the issues we are facing, regardless if you are directly affected by it or not.

There's nothing much recommend really, but I wished there were parts that they changed or didn't do, especially when it has little to nothing to do with the plot or storyline. But the main reason too as to why there's nothing much to recommend is because of how these films are made during its time, where all the values, ideals, culture, and mindset were different comapred to how it's shaped to this date. All in all, both films directed by Lino Brocka are something that each one of us need to watch. It may not be suitable for everyone, yes, but you know that the message behind every film he makes have something to tell you that a certain problem in the country is happening at this point and we have to do something about it. It's a food for thought that films like these are a medium used to communicate to people and spread awareness on the coexisting problems we face or people face on a daily basis. In conclusion, not only does Lino Brocka have a mindset that's beyond his time, he also sees to it that the films are something that will speak to the general audience despite the differences in perspective and experience.

1 note · View note