The Pandayang Lino Brocka Political Film and New Media Festival is now on its 14th year of gathering students, amateur and independent film makers and film collectives in the hopes of finding a new generation of film-makers following the footsteps of Lino Brocka, one of the greatest filmmakers in the Philippines.
According to Rafael Mendoza, Pandayang Lino Brocka Festival Head, “this year’s festival is not just to raise consciousness on the political situation of our country and look for new Lino Brockas, but this is also a tribute to the namesake of the festival, Lino Brocka.”
The group, Tudla Productions, plan to conduct a special program during the festival to honor the life and works of Lino Brocka.
This year, the group will have a special screening of Lino Brocka’s film “Bayan Ko: Kapit Sa Patalim”.
“We screened Bayan Ko Kapit sa Patalim in the film fest on its 25th year anniversary. Now we feel that sharing this film with Filipino audiences today is very timely, with the return of the Marcoses in Malacañang, no less than the dictator’s namesake son, the rising prices vis-a-vis low wages of workers,” Mendoza said.
Brocka directed the film penned by Pete Lacaba.
The film used different real-life events intended to show the inherent corruption in government.
It was named after the patriotic song “Bayan Ko”, which was the protest song after Ninoy Aquino’s assassination in 1983.
In 1984, censors found their claws on the film, delaying its showing and having all rally scenes deleted as well as the title song.
Sex scenes from Manila’s live shows were also ordered deleted before it was released.
Brocka had to smuggle the film out of the country to bring it to Cannes in 1984.
The film got nominated for the prestigious Palm D ‘Or and caused an uproar internationally when Brocka announced the film was censored back home.
In addition to film screenings, a forum about the central theme “Fight for Our Future” will be participated in by speakers from Anakbayan Metro Manila, Martial law veterans, and other key delegates.
“We always make it a point to conduct these forums during the festival to raise the consciousness of the festival’s audience and encourage them to create their own films that are relevant to society,” he added.
The film screenings and forum will be held from November 18, 2022 in UP Manila Theater.
After the festival at the University of the Philippines, Pandayang Lino Brocka will be brought to other schools, workplaces, urban poor and peasant communities.
The 14th Pandayang Lino Brocka Political Film and New Media Festival is organized by Tudla Productions in partnership with the U.P. Manila – University Student Council, UP Manila – League of College Student Council, Anakbayan Metro Manila, National Union of Students of the Philippines – NCR, College Editors Guild of the Philippines – NCR, Kilusang Mayo Uno – NCR, Urban Poor Coordinating Council, Sining Bugkos, UGATLahi Artists Collective, BAYAN – NCR, Nilad, and Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Harbor Center.
