Thursday, July 28, 2011

Four Legendary Filipino directors you wouldn’t even bother to read about (until now).

When people are young, they usually like movies that are heavy with special effects. As they grow older, they finally look at the finer points of movie making. Screenplay, cinematography, acting and costume design among others become a factor during this age. It is also during this age that movie goers look for something new. Movie goers got to the movie houses simply to be shown something new.
Wow! This movie concept is so new! I wonder if X-Men got its idea from this movie.
LOL!
Nowadays, Mainstream Filipino movies are about three things.  Some movies are about corny love which apparently goes to a happy ending anyway. Some movies are about fantasy whether of adventure or horror in which Filipino movie makers try to imitate Hollywood box office hit movies but fail miserably. Finally, some movies are emotionally driven, whether it be heavy drama or heavy comedy.
Movie Goer : Wow this movie looks good! I hope the story is not the same a s those old crappy filipino bullshit chick-flicks.
*After The Movie*
Movie Goer : WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!?!?! And I payed 130 pesos for it! That money could have gone to Cancer Research.
Most of it is really clichĂ© and doesn’t add anything new to the table when it comes to Filipino Movie making. But thanks to the movie gods, there were four directors who dared to challenge the movie making norm. Though they are from different eras, they have been the custodians of change and innovation in the way Filipino movies were made and, in the process, would be honored in several different ways as well.
With the kind of movies being made today, No wonder our national hero looks pissed.

#1 PEQUE GALLAGA : 50% Troll, 50% Insane, 100% Brilliance
With this look, he can replace Ian Mckellen as Gandalf :)
Peque Gallaga started being in the film industry since 1970’s up until the 20th century. Through his career in the industry he has been a director, screenwriter and an actor.
This fat and seemingly trollish looking fellow would change the meaning of Movie Polymath.
Sometimes, brilliance is seen in the outside
Both Troll-looking, both wicked-haired, both brilliant
As a director, he contributed a lot to the industry. His first project was co-directing Binhi with Butch Perez although after that he decided to go back to Bacolod to teach Mass Communications. During his teaching years in Bacolod, he was both a teacher and a student at the same because of the up and coming technologies that were emerging during those times. Not only did he direct films but he also directed PBA games and that was when he realized that directing is a form of craftsmanship and not just one’s expression of personal perspectives. Some of his known films are Virgin Forest, Scorpio Nights, Bad Bananas sa Putting Tabing, Hiwaga sa Balate Drive and many more.
Although being recognized and popular as a director, Peque also has his fair shares of being in the films himself and not only behind them. Alongside Chistopher de Leon, Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco he acted in Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos under Mario O’Hara’s directing. This was the time when he really realized that he wanted to be involved in Filipino films. He also played an over-fattened friar in the 1998 Jose Rizal Film.
Peque is also known for his screenwriting. The storyline of Oro, Plata, Mata paved way to awarding him the Experimental Cinema of the Phillipines writing contest; and later on was granted to direct the piece winning him an Urian awards and a prize in the Manila International Film Festival in 1982.

Under His (Oversized) Belt:

FAMAS Awards

2009 – Ate (2008)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Art Direction)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Screenplay)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Story)

1987 – Unfaithful Wife (1986)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1977 – Ganito kami noon… Paano kayo ngayon? (1976)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Production Design)

Gawad Urian Awards
2009
Won – Lifetime Achievement Award

1987 – Unfaithful Wife (1986)
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1986 – Virgin Forest (1985)
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1983 – Oro , Plat, Mata (1982)
Won - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Production Design (Pinakamahusay na Disenyong Pamproduksiyon))

1981 – City After Dark (1982)
Won - Gawad Urian Award (Best Production Design (Pinakamahusay na Disenyong Pamproduksiyon))

1977 – Ganito kami noon… Paano kayo ngayon? (1976)
Won - Gawad Urian Award (Best Production Design (Pinakamahusay na Disenyong Pamproduksiyon))

Metro Manila Film Festival

1996 – Magic Temple (1996)
Won - Festival Prize (Best Director)
Won - Festival Prize (Best Screenplay)

1976 – Ganito kami noon… Paano kayo ngayon? (1976)
Won - Festival Prize (Best Art Direction)

#2 MARILOU DIAZ ABAYA : A Woman in a Man's Game
Men : We Rule the Movie World!
Marilou : Bullshit!
Marilou Diaz Abaya is a talented and multi-awarded director in our country. She became a respectable and superb director in the Philippine cinema. Her works, mostly known to be feministic in style, have been nominated and won a lot of award through the years. She was born in Quezon City on 1955 and studied at Assumption College for a degree in Bachelor of Arts, major in Communication Arts. She then continued her studies abroad and graduated with a degree in Master of Arts in Film and Television. Finally, she completed her Film Course at London International Film School.
Who would have thought that it would take a woman's touch to revitalize Rizal's story?
During the first years of her career, most of her films during that time criticized the Marcos regime. These films included “Brutal”, “Karnal” and “Baby Tsina”. After the Marcos era, Marilou Diaz Abaya briefly left the film-making industry in order to produce television programs. Like her films, her tv programs also focuses on democratic reforms for our country. A few years later, she returns to the industry with a slightly different touch to her film. Targeting a series of social problems in the Philippines, she produced brilliant movies such as “May Nagmamahal sa Iyo”, “Ipaglaban Mo”, “Sa Pusod ng Dagat” and “Muro-Ami.”


She is the director of the award-winning movie “Jose Rizal” which depicted the life of our national hero. This is a major breakthrough in cinematography since the movie costs around 80-million pesos and is one of the most grand and expensive movies made in the Philippines. Also, during that time, historical films like this failed to succeed in the industry. However, “Jose Rizal” unexpectedly earned the support of the people and was nominated and won dozens of awards.
Alalay-in-charge-with-the-food: Direk! lunch time na po. Ano pong kakainin niyo?
Direk : Ayan!
Today, Marilou Diaz Abaya owns a cinematography school in Antipolo City which is named after her. Her works are recognized not just in the Philippines but in the whole world as well after winning several international awards.

Under Her 2nd Belt (because her 1st belt is now overpopulated with her other awards):

Asian American International Film Festival
2002
Won – Asian Media Award

Cinequest San Jose Film Festival
1999 – Sa pusod ng Dagat (1998)
Won – Audience Favorite Choice Award – Honorable Mention

FAMAS Awards
2004 – Noon at Ngayon (2003)
Nominated – Best Director

2002 – Bagong Buwan (2001)
Won – Best Director
Nominated – Best Story

2000 – Muro Ami (1999)
Won – Best Director

1999 – Jose Rizal (1998)
Won – Best Director

1997 – May nagmamahal sa iyo (1996)
Nominated – Best Director

1984 – Karnal (1983)
Won – Best Director

1983 – Moral (1982)
Nominated – Best Director

1981 – Brutal (1980)
Nominated – Best Director
(She has more awards but I think you already get the point J)

#3 EDDIE ROMERO : Shoot First, Take Names Later
Secret to Long Life? BEER and COFFEE!
Edgar Sinco Romero was born on july 7 1924 in dumaguete city Philippines. He was from a prominent family. In his early ages, he used to write stories for the Philippine free press. He envisioned himself as a “pop writer, writing to entertain, rather than a stalwart of serious literature.” The P.G. Wodehouse of the Philippines: that was his ambition.
He was a scriptwriter at first but had a difficulty in the Filipino language. It was through his works that National Artist Gerardo De Leon was impressed. His first script was Ang Maestro (about a city girl assigned to a teaching post in the province trying to adjust to country life). This was followed by Anong Ganda Mo, a slapstick comedy on the Philippine Revolution, but because of WWII the film couldn’t be finished until the Japanese era. His third project, Margarita, which could have been his first directional assignment, was shelved also due to the same reason.
Mameng Iniibig Kita was his first assignment, being the associate director to Gerry De Leon, although he ended up shooting most of the parts. He wasn’t so certain if he really wanted to be a director at the time, a little hesitant but he fell in love with filming.
His first solo director debut was under sampaguita pictures Ang Kamay ng Diyos, which upped his career even more. He acquired deeper professional skills in filming when he was in London, where his father was sent as ambassador to the Court Of Saint James. He met distinguished representatives of the British Film Industry and was able to work with them too.
He applied everything he learned abroad, especially controlled pacing, very useful when he directed Tita Duran-Pancho Magalona musicals.
Chavit Singson? or Gollum's long lost Father?
Prinsesa at Pulubi, Filipino adaptation of the Princess and the Pauper, was what earned him to be the first recipient of Maria Clara award for best director.
His movie Ang Asawa Kong Amerikana won for the best screenplay award at the Asian Film Festival in 1953. When he was shooting Maldita, Eddie came to the set drunk! He was half-dead when they were starting so he was asked to drink 5 cups of coffee and run 5 times around the block. (he was maldita haha)
Maria Went to Town was the film very much liked by Pres. Magsaysay, who borrowed it for preview in Malacanang (it took a long while to get the film back haha maybe the pres kept it or Maria who went to town got lost in town or something)
He also made a couple of successful foreign films in China and in the United States. He almost did not come back to the Philippines because he had a very good life there.
For a while he thought he could stay in the United States forever, since he’s been good there for quite a long time, but he eventually decided to go back to his homeland.
reporter : Sir, is it true that you do your best work when you are drunk?
Eddie : Uhhhh, What time is it? Where am I?
His great comeback film was Ganito Kami Noon . . . Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976), certainly one of most significant Filipino films ever made. Story set during the Katipunan – to the American takeover, journey down the main-travelled routes to Manila, summing up the meaning of "Filipino". He was iconic, his movies were noteworthy, it was indeed a great comeback. One of the many films that were legendary was Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi (1987),  a co-production with Beijing Studio, about a group of datus who went to the Forbidden City to learn about statecraft and solutions to a mighty kingdom.

Under His Belt (which is also filled with Coffee sachets and Beer Bottles):

Cinemanila International Film Festival
2000
Won - Lifetime Achievement Award

FAMAS Awards
2008 – Faces of Love (2007)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Story)
2000
Won - Presidential Award

1993
Won - FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award
1986
Won - FAMAS Hall of Fame

1985 – Ang Padrino (1984)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Screenplay)
1981 – Aguila (1980)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Screenplay)

1980 – Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979)
Won - Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Screenplay)

1977 - Ganito Kami Noon . . . Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1971
Won - Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award

1967 – The Passionate Strangers (1966)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Screenplay)
1964
Won - Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award

1953 – Buhay Alamang (1952)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Screenplay)

FAP Awards, Philippines
2008 – Faces of Love (2007)
Nominated - FAP Award (Best Director)
Nominated - FAP Award (Best Screenplay)
2000
Won - Lifetime Achievement Award

Gawad Urian Awards
1995
Won - Lifetime Achievement Award

1981 – Aguila (1980)
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula))

1978 – Banta ng Kahapon (1977)
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula))
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula))

1977 - Ganito Kami Noon . . . Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)
Won - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))
Won - Gawad Urian Award (Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula))

Maria Clara Awards
1952 – Diego Silang (1951)
Won - Maria Clara Award (Best Screenplay)

1951 – Ang Prinsesa at Ang Pulubi (1950)
Won - Maria Clara Award (Best Director)

Metro Manila Film Festival
1976 - Ganito Kami Noon . . . Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)
Won - Festival Prize (Best Director)
Won - Festival Prize (Best Screenplay)

#4 LINO BROCKA : The Da Vinci of Philippine Cinema
Looking at his face, You just feel that something amazing will happen. Or maybe he's just constipated?
        Catalino Ortiz Brocka, more known as Lino Brocka, is considered as one of the most brilliant film directors in the history of the Philippine Movie Industry. He was born in April 3 1939, in Pilar, Sorsogon and an older brother to Danilo, born four years after him. 
Lino’s childhood was wonderful until his father, Regino, died. After the death of his father, his mother was forced to send Lino to his Aunt. And there, he was treated like a slave, experiencing physical and verbal abuse. He struggled to bear each day with his relatives looking forward to reunite with his family once again. His only escape for such hell was at the movies. At an early age, Lino has been exposed and attached to watching movies, especially foreign ones. For him, watching movies was an imaginary/ fantasy world and he adored it.
Unfortunately, he did not take a film related degree. Instead, he entered pre-law in the University of the Philippines for his mother wanted him to be an attorney and the president of the Philippines. His first year in the university was a clutter. His relationship with his mother changed when he discovered that their stable lifestyle then was because of long-term connection to an official on the other town. The way he perceived his mother changed since then. He dropped pre-law and took mostly literature and poetry subjects. After nine years, he was able to graduate with enough English credits but still lacked B.A. requirements.
Direk : Kapag binuksan ko yung kamay ko, action na agad!
Actors : Direk! Lunch time pa po!
Direk : Sorry Naman...

His shot at the movie industry came in 1970 when a producer from Lea productions saw one of his staged shows and asked him if he would like to make a film for the Manila Film Festival. Lino Brocka’s first movie was “Wanted: Perfect mother” (info), which eventually won the Best Screenplay award. This was the start of his remarkable career as a film director in the movie industry. He made eight movies with Lea productions after his debut film but eventually, Brocka quit.

He decided to teach drama and speech the next two years and came back in the year 1974. He formed CineManila together with some investors and roughly 100 artists. The first film produced was “Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang” (info) which swept the FAMAS Awards.  CineManila produced three more films but in the end went bankrupt.
He decided to take a break and return to Bicol and after a while, decided to go back to begin filming another film “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” (info). His filmmaking skills came of age in this film, and the ‘typical’ movie Brocka movie was born. After “Maynila..”,  he also made films like “Insiang” and “Jaguar” and categorized it as “Film noir”. These films are said to be movies that shows harsh reality instead of the fantasy that most movies demonstrate.
Direk : Guys! Focus dapat kapag stop-dance yung laro. Presence of Mind!
*Music Plays*
*Then Stops*
Direk : Yan na!
Emcee : Direk! out na po kayo. Bawal po magsalita kapag stop dance.
Direk : Sorry Naman....
During the mid- 1970s, President Ferdinand Marcos asked Brocka to make films the president wanted. The president offered to pay his debts in exchange of making the films. He refused the offer because he did not trust the people he was dealing with.
Brocka was one of the people present on August 21, 1983 to welcome the late Benigno Aquino Jr. After the assassination, Brocka began speaking at rallies, about the government and its censorship of movies. In December 1984, Brocka together with a number of artists went on rallies together with others that led to their imprisonment for 16days.
After his release from jail, Brocka returned to making films.  Unfortunately, after midnight of May 21, 1991, Brocka died from a car accident when his car smashed on a corner in East Ave. His death was definitely a loss to the society.

Under His Belt:

British Film Institute Awards

1984 – Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim (1985)

Won - Sutherland Trophy

Cannes Film Festival

1984 - Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim (1985)

Nominated - Golden Palm

1980 – Jaguar (1979)

Nominated - Golden Palm

FAMAS Awards

1992

Won -FAMAS Hall of Fame (Director)

1991 – Gumapang ka sa lusak (1990)

Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1990 – Macho Dancer (1988)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)
1986 - Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim (1985)
Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1983 – Cain and Abel (1982)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1980 – Jaguar (1979)
Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1979 – Wake Up, Maruja (1978)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1978 – Tahan na Empoy, tahan (1977)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1977 – Insiang (1976)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1976 – The Nail of Brightness (1975)

Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1975 – Weighed but found Wanting (1974)

Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1973 – Villa Miranda (1972)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1972 – Stardoom (1971)

Nominated - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

1971 – Tubog sa Ginto

Won - FAMAS Award (Best Director)

FAP Awards, Philippines

1991 – Gumapang ka sa Lusak (1990)

Won - FAP Award (Best Director)

1986 - Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim (1985)

Won - FAP Award (Best Director)

Gawad Urian Awards

1992 – Sa Kabila ng Lahat (1991)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1991 - Gumapang ka sa Lusak (1990)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1990 – Macho Dancer (1988)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1986 – Bayan ko: Kapit sa Patalim (1985)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))
Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1984 – Hot Property (1983)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1983 – Cain and Abel (1982)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1981 – Bona (1980)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1980 – Jaguar (1979)

Won - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1979 – Mananayaw (1978)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))


1978 – Tahan na Empoy, tahan (1977)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

1977 – Insiang (1976)

Nominated - Gawad Urian Award (Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon))

Metro Manila Film Festival

1979 – Ina ka ng anak mo (1979)

Won - Festival Prize (Best Director)

Nantes Three Continents Festival

1983 – Angela Markado (1980)

Won - Golden Montgolfiere

Note: All awards/records are from imdb.com and whosdatedwho.com

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