(SPOT.ph) There was once a glorious time when the Metro Manila Film Festival wasn’t full of unnecessary sequels and cringe-worthy comedies. In its long, 41-year history, the MMFF has actually produced plenty of cinematic gems that make the weeks between December 25 and January an exciting time for Filipino moviegoers. Here are 10 classic MMFF entries that serve as reminders that Pinoy cinema has always been great—and there’s still hope that it can be even better.
Also read:
10 Classic MMFF Movies to Look Back On Before MMFF 2014
10 Must-See Critically Acclaimed Pinoy Movies of 2015
Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976)
Directed by: Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara | Screenplay by: Marina Feleo-Gonzales
MMFF credits: Best Editing and Best Story
Although the film was largely bested by Eddie Romero's Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon and Lino Brocka's Insiang in the festival's major categories, this film still earned its lead star, Nora Aunor, plenty of praise. It also took home multiple major awards from the FAMAS Awards and Gawad Urian Awards. Aunor plays Cora, a nurse whose dreams of living in the U.S. are shattered after her brother is shot dead by an American soldier stationed in the country. The film, which is intended to criticize the presence of American military in the Philippines, also gave us the immortal movie line: "My brother is not a pig!"
Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo (1979)
Directed by: Lino Brocka | Screenplay by: Jose Dalisay Jr. and Leticia Fariñas
MMFF credits: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Actor
Esther (Nora Aunor) and Luis (Raul Aragon) are a married couple whose relationship is tested when they struggle to conceive a child. They both live with Esther's mother, Renata (Lolita Rodriguez), who often acts as a mediator between them. A heated argument between mother and daughter results in an affair between Renata and Luis, and later, a pregnancy that tears the entire family apart. The film swept all the major awards, including a tie for Best Actress between Aunor and Rodriguez.
Brutal (1980)
Directed by: Marilou Diaz-Abaya | Screenplay by: Ricky Lee
MMFF credits: Best Director and Best Actress
A woman (Amy Austria) makes headlines after she murders her husband and his two friends, but in her post-traumatic shock, she is unable to communicate with anyone. Her case draws the attention of a journalist (Charo Santos) with feminist ideals, who digs into the former's past to uncover the truth behind the murder. The gritty film, which was one of Diaz-Abaya's first projects, cemented her place as a formidable director in Pinoy cinema.
Kisapmata (1981)
Directed by: Mike de Leon | Screenplay by: Mike de Leon and Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.
MMFF credits: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Sound Engineering, Best Story, Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Editing
One of the most memorable MMFF entries ever was Mike de Leon's Kisapmata, which dealt with strong themes such as incest, suicide, and murder. The intense, psychological drama also took home multiple awards at the FAMAS Awards and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982. In the film, Vic Silayan plays Dadong, a retired police officer who has an unusually overbearing relationship with his daughter, Milagros (Charo Santos). He deviously devises ways to keep her and her new husband, Noel (Jay Ilagan), under his roof...thanks to a chilling and horrifying family secret.
Karma (1981)
Directed by: Danny Zialcita | Screenplay by: Ricky Lee and Heidi Castillo
MMFF credits: Best Actress
These days, the concept of fate and past lives might seem overused, by don't discount this MMFF classic just yet! A woman named Sarah (Vilma Santos) postpones her wedding after she is raped by Eric (Ronaldo Valdez) and ruins her relationship with Alfredo (Tommy Abuel). It turns out that Eric and Sarah knew each other in a past life; they were once Enrico and Guada, respectively—illicit lovers who were murdered by the latter's husband, Limbo. The question is: Who is Limbo in the present time? Was he reincarnated as the sadistic Alfredo or the pathologically jealous wife of Eric (Chanda Romero)?
Imortal (1989)
Directed by: Eddie Garcia | Screenplay by: Orlando Nadres
MMFF credits: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art Direction, Best Music, Best Editing, Best Story, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Song
It's no surprise that Eddie Garcia's 1989 film racked up over 10 awards during the MMFF in 1989. The plot spans three generations, and primarily revolves around the characters of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, who fall in love despite hailing from different social backgrounds. Both Vilma and Christopher play the three sets of characters throughout each generation, which earned them multiple acting awards and nominations from the MMFF, FAMAS, and Gawad Urian.
Dahas (1995)
Directed by: Chito Roño | Screenplay by: Roy Iglesias
MMFF credits: Best Actor
This macabre crime drama was mostly bested by Joel Lamangan's Muling Umawit Ang Puso (critics didn't take its sensitive content lightly), but it swept most of the major awards from other award-giving bodies. Dahas tells the story of Luisa (Maricel Soriano), who is raped by an unknown assailant (Tonton Gutierrez) just days before her wedding to Jake (Richard Gomez). When Jake discovers that Luisa is no longer chaste, he begins to physically abuse his new wife. This leads Luisa to retaliate in a violent and chilling way.
Jose Rizal (1998)
Directed by: Marilou Diaz-Abaya | Screenplay by: Ricky Lee, Jun Lana, and Peter Ong Lim
MMFF credits: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Original Theme Song, Best Musical Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Recording, and Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
Yes, the Cesar Montano-starrer that many of us grew up watching in Philippine History class was actually an MMFF entry. This historical biopic on the national hero was widely met with critical acclaim, both locally and internationally. In fact, Jose Rizal was a clean sweep at the MMFFs, save for the Best Supporting Actress award that went to Alice Dixson for Sambahin ang Ngalan Mo.
Tanging Yaman (2000)
Directed by: Laurice Guillen | Screenplay by: Laurice Guillen, Shaira Mella Salvador, and Raymond Lee
MMFF credits: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score, and Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
Star Cinema's religious family drama revolves around three estranged siblings (Johnny Delgado, Edu Manzano, and Dina Bonnevie) whose reunion after their father's death reopens old wounds. Meanwhile, their elderly mother (Gloria Romero) struggles to keep her family together while she succumbs to Alzheimer's disease.
Blue Moon (2005)
Directed by: Joel Lamangan | Screenplay by: Allan Tijamo
MMFF credits: Best Picture, Best Original Story, and Best Screenplay
Amid the usual MMFF elements of Shake, Rattle & Roll, Mano Po, and Enteng Kabisote, Joel Lamangan's period film emerged victorious and took home the coveted Best Picture award. Eddie Garcia plays Manuel, a man on his deathbed whose only wish is to find the love of his life, Corazon. It turns out that there were two Corazons in his life (Jennylyn Mercado and Pauleen Luna), and the audience—through the clever use of flashbacks—is left guessing which Corazon he ends up falling for. The film also stars Mark Herras as the younger Manuel, Boots Anson-Roa as the older Corazon, Christopher de Leon as Manuel's reluctant and bitter son, and Dennis Trillo as his grandson.
Also read:
10 Classic MMFF Movies to Look Back On Before MMFF 2014
10 Must-See Critically Acclaimed Pinoy Movies of 2015
Photo of Imortal from starforallseasons.com; Brutal from pelikulaatbp.blogspot.com
