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The Many Deaths of Lino Brocka
This year marks the 30th death anniversary of the nationalist filmmaker, Lino Brocka. Even after May 21, 1991, he’s been dying multiple deaths. Some may recall how Patrick Flores’ polemic against Brocka, incidentally published day after Brocka died sparked controversy as one which provoked later the extent of political criticism. Flores’ mistake however is merely…
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Marginal Notes on Cinema and Nation
As our Film 240 class wrapped-up earlier, I’m still trying to come into terms of how should I approach the topic of both Cinema and Nation. Prof. Deocampo said to me that the way I wanted to approach my topic, which is Cinema under the Aquino Administration, is something most students (if I heard him…
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Notes on Lino Brocka’s essay 2
“The “upliftment of the motion Picture industry” should not, can never be, a package deal; it is, instead, a protracted struggle. One should work perseveringly with the material at hand, should be aware of but not stunted by our cinematic tradition, and should place one’s trust in the Filipino mass audience.” -Lino Brocka (Philippine Movies:…
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Re-reading Brocka’s famous essay
Manila Review published Lino Brocka’s “Philippine Movies: Some Problems & Prospects” back in their October 1974 issue. The essay was quite famous for its challenge to film-makers (directors, producers, also cinematographers, editors, actors) to “get over his hang-up about making the Great Filipino Film” that the film-maker should think about “developing the Great Filipino Audience”.…