Cover Cinemalaya 20 will screen Lino Brocka‘s ‘Bona’ which stars Nora Aunor (Photo: Kani Releasing/Youtube)
Cinemalaya 20 will screen Lino Brocka‘s ‘Bona’ which stars Nora Aunor (Photo: Kani Releasing/Youtube)
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Get a chance to watch the remastered works of National Artists Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Lino Brocka at the upcoming Cinemalaya 20 this August
The upcoming Cinemalaya 20 is truly worth the wait—not only will the audiences witness compelling narratives and groundbreaking storytelling, but they will also experience a powerful exploration of Loob, Lalim, Lakas. To make a long-lasting mark on its patrons, the festival will screen remastered classics from three National Artists for Film, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Ishmael Bernal, and Lino Brocka, respectively.
On August 2, guests can watch the free screening of the remastered version of Abaya’s Jose Rizal. The film, which garnered a total of 17 awards during the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), stars Cesar Montano (as Jose Rizal), Joel Torre (as Iarra), Chin Chin Gutierrez (as Josephine Bracken), Mickey Ferriols (as Leonor Rivera), Jaime Fabregas (as Luis Taviel de Andrade), Gloria Diaz (as Teodora Alonso), and Gardo Versoza (as Andres Bonifacio).
In case you missed it: Cinemalaya 20: Here’s everything you need to know
Above Cinemalaya 20 will screen Marilou Diaz-Abaya's Jose Rizal
Behind the scenes, Abaya asked lead actor Montano to immerse himself in history, politics, poetry, fencing, penmanship, and Spanish diction. The late director also required her team to read Noli Me Tangere and El Filiusterismo. According to reports, the cast agreed to meet every day to “quiz and update each other”.
Born in Quezon City in 1995, Abaya studied film at the London International Film School. Some of her early films include Brutal, Karnal, and Baby Tsina, all of which jab at the Martial Law period in the Seventies and Eighties.
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Ikaw ay Akin by Ishmael Bernal will be shown on August 9 at 2pm at Cinema 2 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. The film follows horticulturist Teresita, her long-time sweetheart Rex, and his new lover Sandra.
The film explores the complexities of love. After its premiere in 1978, it became an instant classic thanks to its experimental long shot of a confrontation scene in which the actors used only their eyes.
Written by Jose N Carreon, it stars Superstar Nora Aunor as Teresita and Christopher de Leon as Rex. Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos is Sandra. Nick Romano, Ellen Esguerra, Zandro Zamora, Odette Khan, Ven Medina, Ernie Zarate, Angel Confiado, Renato Rquiestas, Rick Rivero, Ogie Sanchez, Eddie Recto, Rose Gacula, Joey Sison, Cris Vertido, Anton Juan, Catherine Santos, Catherine Santos, Charmie Benavidez, and Andrea Andolong complete the cast.
Above Cinemalaya 20 will screen Lino Brocka's Bona
As for the closing film on August 11, Cinemalaya 20 will show Brocka’s restored version of Bona starring National Artist Nora Aunor. The film, which was restored through the collaboration of Carlotta Films and Kani Releasing, was also screened in Cannes Classics 2024.
Bona, a solemn woman, quits school to follow her infatuation with the self-absorbed Gardo. She moves in with him and mainly serves him. In Bona’s enraged father’s estimation, Gardo is either a second or third-rate actor in Philippine action movies.
Among Brocka’s epoch-making masterpieces are Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang.
Misteryo Sa Tuwa
Misteryo Sa Tuwa by Abbo Q. Dela Cruz will also be screened on August 7, 2.30pm at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinema 9. The movie probes the intricate changes people go through in the blink of an eye. Impoverished friends Masiong, Ponsoy, and Jamin rush to a plane’s crash site to plunder the victims’ valuables. After they uncover a large sum of money, the town mayor gets greedy, and their lives are endangered
The thriller features Johnny Delgado as Masiong, Tony Santos Sr. as Ponsoy, and Ronnie Lazaro as Jamin. They star alongside Alicia Alonzo, Lito Anzures, Amable Quiambao, Maria Montes, Robert Antonio, Mario Taguiwalo, Ray Ventura, Mely Mallari, Vangie Labalan, Perry Fajardo, Romeo Igloria, Susanna Faller, Ben Deliña, and Wilfredo Saludares.
Using the five Positive Prints, the only existing film materials, the 2K-restoration is at the maximum level with only a few missing frames through the dedication of over 250 artists. The restoration took 3,440 hours in 2019.
Gospel of The Beast
For the opening film, Cinemalaya will show Sheron Dayoc’s Gospel of the Beast. A coming-of-age film about Mateo, a 15-year-old boy known for being a troublemaker in school but possessing a genuine heart for his two siblings. At a tender age he already assumed the role of his father after the latter went missing.
However, a confrontation with his schoolmate escalates into violence when Mateo accidentally takes the life of his rival. With nowhere else to turn, Mateo seeks help from a man he barely knows, Berto, who persuades him to run away and introduces him to the world of the syndicate.
Mateo's story is based on a deep, dark secret held by someone close to Dayoc's family. “He candidly shared with me that until he started working for our family, he used to be a hitman for a vigilante group in my hometown,” director Dayoc shared.
The film won Best Feature Film Award at the 2024 Bali International Film Festival and was nominated as Best Film at the 2023 Tokyo International Film Festival.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
