Cover National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor is Elsa in Ishmael Bernal's 'Himala'
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor is Elsa in Ishmael Bernal's 'Himala'
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Spend your weekend at the Cinematheque Center Manila and catch the works of national artists Kidlat Tahimik, Ishmael Bernal, Ricki Lee, Nora Aunor, and more for free
If a story is put together in the streets of Manila, expect to consume a palatable narrative without an ounce of fat in its bone. Culture thrives in this city as it witnessed and turned decades-long hardship, loss, and love into different art forms.
Every year, the Cinematheque Center of the Philippines-Manila seeks to make us remember the city’s rich cultural heritage. This 2023, it launches yet again the Pamanang Pelikula, which features six different films such as Ishmael Bernal’s Himala, Martika Ramirez Escobar’s Leonor Will Never Die, Kidlat Tahimik’s Mababangong Bangungot, and more.
In case you missed it: Pamanang Pelikula 2022: A Review of Lino Brocka's 'Insiang'
The event runs from May 26 to 27.
1. Himala
In Ishmael Bernal’s Himala, a poverty-stricken village is intrigued by a barrio lass when she claims she sees visions of the Virgin Mary.
In a 2023 press conference, Himala screenwriter Ricki Lee revealed who killed Nora Aunor’s character, Elsa. “Subconsciously, she [Elsa] made up the miracles. She lied. The ones who truly killed her were people who did not want to hear the truth—most of the villagers who sought for Elsa’s healing powers did not want to hear the truth because they can barely afford to live.”
Screening Schedule:
Date: May 26, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
2. Leonor Will Never Die
Fiction and reality blur when Leonor, a retired filmmaker, falls into a coma after a television lands on her head, compelling her to become the action hero of her unfinished story. In 2022, Leonor Will Never Die director Martika Escobar bagged the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at Sundance Film Festival. She is the first Filipino filmmaker to do so.
In January 2022, Tatler had the chance to interview the award-winning filmmaker. Here’s an excerpt:
How did the concept for Leonor Will Never Die begin?
Escobar: When I was [attending] classes at Mowelfund, we had teachers and lecturers who would come to class wearing outfits that looked like straight out of Filipino action films that were prevalent in the Seventies and Eighties. My friend and I thought what is it about that genre and period that made these filmmakers imbibe its ‘spirit’ in their daily lives? Also, it’s not the only manifestation of a film affecting our waking lives—our spectrum of emotions expands as we watch more films throughout our lives.
LWND is about a retired filmmaker who got transported to the film she was writing. It was her last film and in the process, she was revising her life through the film. It lets us look at life as one big film, with a beginning, middle, and end. We rewrite our lives daily through our decisions, our relationships with people, etc.
I also made it a strong aged female character because out of all the action films that we have in our local cinema, there is no such thing as an “action lola”.
Screening Schedule:
Date: May 27, 2023
Time: 5:00 PM
3. Genghis Khan
Above Genghis Khan official movie poster (Photo: IMDb)
Genghis Khan official movie poster (Photo: IMDb)
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Ang Buhay ni Genghis Khan, or simply Genghis Khan, is a 1959 Filipino biographical epic directed by National Artist Manuel Conde. The film follows the life of Mongol ruler and emperor Genghis Khan whose immediate successors built the largest empire ever. Genghis Khan is considered a classic and was given a technical achievement citation at the prestigious Venice Film Festival in 1952, our country’s first entry to the Biennale.
Screening Schedule:
Date: May 26, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM
More from Tatler: National Artist Agnes Locsin: “You Have to Know Your Culture”
4. Mababangong Bangungot
Kidlat Tahimik, a Filipino jeepney driver, is fascinated by the idea of the American space programme and Western society in the Sixties. When he moves to Paris, disillusionment sets in as his dreams are gradually shattered. In 1977, Mababangong Bangungot earned the FIPRESCI Award at the Berlinale.
Screening Schedule:
Date: May 26, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM
Related: 40 Other Important Filipino Visual Artists Who Are Not Yet National Artists
5. Kinatay
Brillante Mendoza’s 2009 film Kinatay follows the story of Peping, a criminology student recruited by his schoolmate Abyong to work as a part-time errand boy for a local syndicate that collects protection fees from several businesses in Manila.
Screening Schedule:
Date: May 27, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM
6. Whether the Weather is Fine (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon)
Here is Daniel Padilla like you’ve never seen before—in Carlo Manatad’s Whether the Weather is Fine, Miguel searches for his mother Norma and his beloved Andrea after typhoon Haiyan ravaged the city.
The film depicts the struggle for survival in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda. Besides Padilla, it also stars Charo Santos-Concio and Rans Rifol.
Screening Schedule:
Date: May 27, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM
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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.
