Manila by Night explained

Manila by Night
Director:Ishmael Bernal
Producer:Lily Y. Monteverde
Music:The Vanishing Tribe
Editing:Augusto Salvador
Studio:Regal Films
Distributor:Regal Films
Runtime:151 minutes
Country:Philippines

Manila by Night (initially released as City After Dark) is a 1980 Filipino drama film directed by Ishmael Bernal from a script by Bernal and Ricky Lee, and stars Gina Alajar and Charito Solis. Released at the height of the Marcos regime, the film uncovers the other face of Manila by depicting the ugly aspects of life in the city – unemployment, prostitution, drug addiction and lack of decent housing. Considered one of Bernal's masterpieces, it is an epic multi-narrative of people who have shady pasts and are trying to exist in an unforgiving world.[1]

Plot

The film's events take place in the course of several nights, involving various protagonists and the city itself.

Production

Lily Monteverde of Regal Films approached Ishmael Bernal to direct a large-scale production to commemorate the second anniversary of the production outfit. Bernal had previously directed Salawahan for Monteverde's Regal Films. For the production, Bernal came up with a sequence list, based on different locales, but decided to have the scenes improvised by a cast assembled from Regal Film's stable, as well as industry friends.[2]

Restoration

The film was restored in 4K resolution by the Philippine Film Archive, the film archives division of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Central Digital Lab as part of the "Save Our Cinema Restoation Program".[3] The restored version was premiered as part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020 exhibition.[4]

Reception

Critical response

The film's original title is Manila by Night, but was later renamed to City After Dark for its initial release. Former first lady Imelda Marcos asked for the title to be changed and that the film be banned for export, believing that the film "maligns her city". The film has since been considered as Ishmael Bernal's masterpiece.[5] [6]

Accolades

width="90%" class="wikitable sortable"
YearGroupCategoryNomineeResult
1981Gawad Urian AwardsBest PictureManila by Night
Best ActorBernardo Bernardo
Best ScreenplayIshmael Bernal
Best Production DesignPeque Gallaga[7] [8]
Best DirectorIshmael Bernal
Best ActressCherie Gil
Rio Locsin
Best MusicVanishing Tribe

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Watch these timeless Filipino movies at the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Eusebio, Aaron Brennt. GMA Network. October 14, 2020. July 7, 2021.
  2. Book: David, Joel . Manila by Night: A Queer Film Classic . Arsenal Pulp Press . 2017 . 978-1-55152-708-6 . Vancouver . 41–46 . subscription.
  3. Web site: The vision for FDCP's Philippine Film Archive. Seguerra, Liza Diño. The Manila Times. August 9, 2020. July 7, 2021.
  4. Web site: Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino goes online: Watch films, help pandemic-hit film industry. Rappler. October 3, 2020. July 7, 2021.
  5. Web site: Manila by Night. September 10, 2012. Time Out London.
  6. Web site: CITY AFTER DARK (MANILA BY NIGHT) (1980). Rotten Tomatoes.
  7. Web site: The towering, wondrous legacy of Peque Gallaga. May 7, 2020. ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. July 7, 2021. Paredes, Andrew.
  8. Web site: Farewell to Peque. May 18, 2020. The Philippine Star. July 7, 2021. Yuson, Alfred A..