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]
| Manila by Night | |
|---|---|
 Re-release poster for its screening at the Manila Film Center in 1985. | |
| Directed by | Ishmael Bernal |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Lily Y. Monteverde |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Augusto Salvador |
| Music by | The Vanishing Tribe |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Regal Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 151 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Languages | |
Plot
editThe film's events take place in the course of several nights, involving various protagonists and the city itself.
Cast
edit- Charito Solis as Virgie
- Alma Moreno as Adelina
- Lorna Tolentino as Baby
- Rio Locsin as Bea
- Cherie Gil as Kano
- Gina Alajar as Vanessa
- Orestes Ojeda as Pebrero
- William Martinez as Alex
- Bernardo Bernardo as Manay Sharon
- Johnny Wilson as Virgie's Husband
- Jojo Santiago as Greggy Williams
- Sharon Manabat as Gaying
- Mitch Valdez (credited as Maya Valdez) as Marichu
Production
editLily 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
editThe 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
editCritical response
editThe 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
edit| Year | Group | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Picture | Manila by Night | Won |
| Best Actor | Bernardo Bernardo | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Ishmael Bernal | Won | ||
| Best Production Design | Peque Gallaga[7][8] | Won | ||
| Best Director | Ishmael Bernal | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Cherie Gil | Nominated | ||
| Rio Locsin | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Vanishing Tribe | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (October 14, 2020). "Watch these timeless Filipino movies at the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino". GMA Network. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ David, Joel (2017). Manila by Night: A Queer Film Classic. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press. pp. 41–46. ISBN 978-1-55152-708-6.
- ^ Seguerra, Liza Diño (August 9, 2020). "The vision for FDCP's Philippine Film Archive". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ "Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino goes online: Watch films, help pandemic-hit film industry". Rappler. October 3, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ "Manila by Night". Time Out London. September 10, 2012.
- ^ "CITY AFTER DARK (MANILA BY NIGHT) (1980)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Paredes, Andrew (May 7, 2020). "The towering, wondrous legacy of Peque Gallaga". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Yuson, Alfred A. (May 18, 2020). "Farewell to Peque". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
External links
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