Is this supposed to be Pre-Spanish Philippines? Why are the women have so aggressive roles?

I've never seen it anyway, but this sample here is terrible.

Only the attire and the names are ancient. The way the performers conduct themselves is just like NOW.

Our parents behaved differently than us. Our grandparents also behaved differently than our parents......ans so on and so fort.

These actors and actresses here are behaving like it's year 2011.

I tried to like the show because it was prehispanic but alas I hated it. I found it somewhat tacky, the acting was OA, the music background overbearing, the way it's directed very sloppily - ie. the introductory fighting where you could see how cheaply made the swords were, the supposed alipin acting so out of place as if she's been watching too many Filipino soaps, etc. It was just too much. I don't like many Filipino films, the most recent that I liked was Batch 81, which was back in 1981, you can watch it on youtube. I prefer Filipino Klasik films over the plethora of recent ones, I find the former far surpasses the latter in every conceivable way. My thoughts though.

Is this supposed to be Pre-Spanish Philippines? Why are the women have so aggressive roles?
I've never seen it anyway, but this sample here is terrible.
Only the attire and the names are ancient. The way the performers conduct themselves is just like NOW.
Our parents behaved differently than us. Our grandparents also behaved differently than our parents......ans so on and so fort.
These actors and actresses here are behaving like it's year 2011.

I tried to like the show because it was prehispanic but alas I hated it. I found it somewhat tacky, the acting was OA, the music background overbearing, the way it's directed very sloppily - ie. the introductory fighting where you could see how cheaply made the swords were, the supposed alipin acting so out of place as if she's been watching too many Filipino soaps, etc. It was just too much. I don't like many Filipino films, the most recent that I liked was Batch 81, which was back in 1981, you can watch it on youtube. I prefer Filipino Klasik films over the plethora of recent ones, I find the former far surpasses the latter in every conceivable way. My thoughts though.

i grew up on the old late 80s and early 90s action movies where people are shooting at each other without ever changing the clip LOL

anyway, philippines is getting there in terms of cg effects..... if they ever made another Lapu Lapu movie, i would want it like the Ong Bak 2 production style

For me it would be a 7 out of 10. Yup, specially at the start, actors slip and use Spanish derived words. During rituals... sound scoring is reminscent of American Indian and not the pentatonic SEA sound. The best part is the mid portion of the story where the actors now have the fluidity of speaking classic Tagalog. Yup I agree. The props... specially towards the end looks cheap, the extras are unknown and are clueless on basic acting. The final costume of Dian Lamitan is not SEA pattern but Roman...hahaha. Overall, it still depicts pre hispanic Philippines better than any of the past works.

Filipino movie lovers this is a must see movie

Speaking of movies, A friend of mine on facebook just shared this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33jCLaNE5dg

Speaking of movies, A friend of mine on facebook just shared this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33jCLaNE5dg

Thank you for sharing this find! I was not aware of this American production! Though it says 1934, the film itself is slightly reflective of silent talkies. Also, did they cast foreigners as leads? LOL! The lead guy was already balding, :P. I also noticed the game SIPA that Americans thought was an exercise for combat! This film reminds me of The Blairwitch Project in its advertisement or facade of authentic somewhat 'documentary'.

I don't know if this tale is based on some ancient historical love story or if the 1957 film I had seen was based on this 1934 American production. But I have to say I really enjoyed & thought the Filipino production to be very superior, the title is 'BADJAO'.

LANGUAGE: TAGALOG
SUBTITLE: ENGLISH

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7


This is a really really well-made film, I cannot stress how highly I recommend it! & to think we once made films such as these!

Thanks Again!

I'll be sure to check it out when I get home.

BTW: I was thinking the same thing. I think the leads were played by foreigners.

They don't even look mestiza/mestizo, they remind me too much of Hollywood actors, even the hairstyle & eyebrows were too Hollywood for the Philippines at that time! But it's a great find anyways1 I was surprised by the similarity of the story with BADJAO movie so wondered if the BADJAO film was a remake (except BETTER!) or if it's one of those old tales, Filipino version of Tristan & Isolde or Romeo & Juliet!

American troops help an oppressed people to get rid of an unpopular and tyrannical government, but then find themselves in conflict with the rebels over the degree of independence the newly-liberated country should have. Sound familiar?

Without beating the viewer over the head, Sayles’ atmospheric and provocative period drama reminds us that there’s nothing new under the sun; over 100 years ago, the world’s youngest superpower was already finding that it’s easier to invade and conquer a foreign country than to rule it justly and understand all its cultural complexities.

Rather than Iraq or Afghanistan, the setting is the island of Luzon in the Philippines, but the problems are the same. The Spanish have been driven out, to general rejoicing, but the rebel forces, disappointed by the Americans’ refusal to grant immediate independence and autonomy, have turned against their erstwhile liberators. The US army, carrying out its government’s policy of introducing former Spanish colonies to what it sees as the civilising and modernising influence of democracy, begins to spread out across the sprawling island nation. They want to win over hearts and minds – but have plenty of firepower in reserve in case the ungrateful ‘goo-goos’ refuse to listen.

All this seems a long way from the peaceful, pastoral image of the film’s opening scenes. Rafael (Torre), the headman of a small village, is carrying out his duties: overseeing the harvest, mediating in petty local disputes and providing the village’s slender link to central authority by collecting the taxes. The only worry in his life is that his teenage son is chafing to join the ‘insurrectos’ in the jungle, who happen to be led by Rafael’s brother.

But the outside world intrudes in the shape of a column of American soldiers hunting the rebels. Their commander, Colonel Hardacre (Cooper), leaves a unit in the village commanded by Lieutenant Compton (Dillahunt), a young architect who volunteered in the recruitment drive to fight the Spanish in Cuba and now finds himself a long way from home and severely out of his depth.

He tries to keep the villagers onside, despite the fact that applying good American principles of democracy and equality means stripping Rafael of his power and setting him to work in the fields like all the others. He’s aided and abetted by the local priest (Vazquez), a Spanish missionary who sees Rafael’s traditional, tribal authority as a challenge to that of the Church and is keen to see him taken down a peg or two.

Meanwhile, the guerrillas are also leaning on Rafael to pass on information and share the village’s food with them. His son has joined their ranks and Rafael soon finds himself caught between two opposing camps, with jealous fellow villagers keen to undermine his position further. And when rebel attacks increase in the surrounding area, Hardacre is furious with Compton. He accuses the unit of ‘going native’ and demands they crack down hard – starting at the top...

It sometimes seems that John Sayles has been making cracking films since around the early 1900s. Like the work of Gilles Pontecorvo (whose colonial rebellion epics Battle Of Algiers and Queimada share some of Amigo’s DNA) they have an independent sensibility and a personal stamp, yet always boast high production values. They tackle complex issues and aren’t afraid to make political points, but never neglect the cinematic value of a well-told tale and sympathetic but multi-layered characters. He’s had the occasional breakout hit (most notably Lone Star in 1996) and is much in demand as a screenwriter and script doctor (said to be working on Jurassic Park IV as we speak) but to my mind has never had the recognition he deserves.

If there’s any justice, Amigo will change that. Its story may be pertinent to America’s recent history but its themes of divided loyalties, unlikely friendships forged then sundered, and the human cost of even a ‘justified’ war are universal. Like Lone Star and 1987’s Matewan (his best film, about an armed uprising by Virginia coal miners) it’s also a beautifully observed study of a small community remaining united in the face of seismic shifts.

Much of the credit goes to the man himself, as writer and director (and editor). But he’s aided by lush, atmospheric cinematography, Mason Daring’s evocative soundtrack and some truly top-notch performances. Dillahunt, a veteran of classy TV such as Deadwood and The Sarah Connor Chronicles and supporting roles in the likes of No Country For Old Men, brings intelligence and subtlety to what could simply be a clichéd ‘green loot’nant’ role. And Vazquez is a long way from his evil Mexican general in The A-Team as the passive-aggressive, manipulative ‘man of God’.

It’s a tribute to the relatively unknown Filipino actor Torre that he holds his own in such distinguished company, making Rafael an Everyman figure trying to live a good life with principled dignity but finding the violence and compromises of the world undermining all his certainties. And Cooper, a Sayles regular from way back when who’s now in regular demand with the mainstream directors, gives a typically commanding turn as the fearsome Hardacre, a veteran of the Indian wars who’s had the pity and humanity squeezed out of him by a lifetime of conflict.

The frequent references to the United States’ oldest and saddest attempt to impose its worldview on a race who didn’t want it are a reminder that Sayles’ best films have been Westerns in all but name. He shares the understanding of the frontier mentality and the dynamics of all-male groups that John Ford and Howard Hawks had. But he has the questing, probing intelligence of Peckinpah and the storytelling flair of Don Siegel too.

One might argue that the climax (and its bleak coda) are a tad manipulative, and the background details of the conflict are only sketchily outlined. But all cinema is trying to make you feel as well as think, and I’d defy anyone not to feel moved and angry by the end of this film. And the sense of ‘why exactly is all this happening?’ accurately reflects the bewilderment of Compton’s troops; rednecks and poor city boys fired by dreams of glory or straitened circumstance who find themselves in an alien land on a poorly defined and morally suspect mission. If the Western is truly the genre that, at its best, offers the greatest insight into America’s history and culture, then John Sayles can say, like John Ford: “I make Westerns”. And very, very good ones, too.

Has anyone heard of John Sayles? He's an AMerican director with a bit of a following. Anyway, he directed a film called Amigo (2010) about the Philippine-American war. It's still not out on dvd, it was available through mediasharing links but since megaupload was shut down, all these links are now dead.

Here's the trailer:

AMIGO TRAILER





A question & answer portion by Sayles on the premiere of Amigo: Q&A

Interview with Sayles, the producer & Joel Torre on the film: INTERVIEW

The film seems to be pretty good, I just can't find it anywhere. I first became aware of the film when they were showing it on SM supermarket, in one of those tvs they were selling. I inquired about it & learned the title, the title admittedly turned me off. But I now wish I had gotten my hands on it before the megaupload was seized!

It's on Netflix Instant. It's an Okay movie (6.5 or 7/10) trying to capture the bitter-sweet relationship between the U.S and the Philippines.

Have you seen this one? This one I can really recommend.

_________________________________________
I actually know some people in this movie, It's an independent movie about the relationship between 1st Gen and 2nd Gen Fil-Ams. Actually set in Daly City where I currently reside! Characters a bit over the top, but it is a comedy

Unfortunately, we don't have netflix here in the Philippnes! I want to really watch it!

Wow! Never heard of Lumpia before, do you have a link to the trailer? Or more info on the film? I'm really curious!

EDIT: I actually heard of this film, I saw the trailer a year or so ago on YT I think. But I thought it was just a YT movie then.

LUMPIA TRAILER

It's strange though that it says 2003, but judging from their clothes it looks like it's from 1993. Was the film delayed from release?

It was! I think people had trouble coordinating. The people I've talked to that were in it say it was a just for fun type of thing

"LUMPIA takes you back to the late-90's when tension is at an all-time high in Fogtown High School. James and his friends become the targets of ridicule for the CREW, a bunch of thugs who have invented a new fad of (gulp!) F.O.B. bashing! But only one thing stands in their way... LUMPIA!"

Trailer

http://www.lovethatlumpia.com/story.htm

You know reading that would make for a great comic-style story noh? Or a novel of some type. The idea of some mysterious stranger called 'Lumpia' is hilarious & unabashedly Filipino at the same time!

Too bad it's only sold in the US & it's a bit expensive too: Amazon

Definitely! I could see it as a comedic graphic novel of sorts. The 'silent avenger' doesn't really have a name, the bullies just assign him the name 'lumpia fob' because he refuses to tell them his name.

I'm sure I can find a way to get it to you. It's expensive because it's not very common.

Alpha Kappa Omega Batch '81





The best Pinoy FILM - directed by Mike DeLeon

The person who directed this movie is obviously a purist. Just like juno, the spontaneous sequence of dialogues and the straight up closeness to reality makes this movie fun to watch. Wala quotable quotes dito, simple ang script pero puno ng laman. As for the creativity,wala syang mga ka arte2x sa mga vantage points ng camera, binawi lahat sa galing ng mga actors. Mark Gil did his role best. Siya si Sid Lucero, isang neophyte na desperado magka Frat. Yes the names sounds familar because his real life son is using this characters name as his own. Mark gils character is common among our friends, yung tipong @$$ licker ala teachers pet slash by the book. Samahan mo pa ng limang makukulay na character na neophyte din.

Katulad ni Santi Santillan played by Neol Trinidad for example, isang neophyte din pero by day teacher xa ng mga nag masters nya sa frat. Angas ang pangalan diba? eto pa,
Pacoy Ledesma, Ronnie Roxas, Jr., Arni Enriquez, Pete Magtibay at Ding Quintos.

There are a lot of great scenes in this move, one of my favorite is where a senior frat master played by then slim Johnny Delgado is torturing Mark gil. This particular scene has no cuts, Mark Gil did the stunt where he sat in agony in a doctors chair and surgical scissor clips are pinching his chest. MASAKIT YUN at si Mark Gil talaga yun! Another Remarkable scene is the cabaret cross dressing. Galing ng scene na yun, it looks like a filler but then again a great filler.

Last! remember FACE OFF? There is a scene where a classical music is played at the background but the action is rolling and people are killing each other. Similar to the close to you theme in so close. This style is so John Woo. Pero, Wala pang john Woo noong ginawa ang film na eto. The summit scene is the frat rumble, imagine it, nagpapatayn sila pero ang background music jolly, similar to that of a circus clown. Astig to!!!

Eye opener xa pero at the same time it lets you embrace what fraternity truly is. Baptism of fire talaga.

My brother is a fratsman sabi nya documented stories daw APO, Tau Gamma at Opsilon daw ang inspiration nang make believe ALPHA KAPPA OMEGA fraternity - ang simula at wakas ay kapatiran (MOTTO nila)!


The best tong movie na to, for me. kasi simple and fit sa level of comprehension ko.

I guess but from a peso POV, that's too heavy a price for us. Plus shipping would be another cost I imagine.

Have you heard of a Taiwanese film called Pinoy Sunday? It was shot by a Malaysian director, here's the trailer: Pinoy Sunday TRAILER

You know, I really really recommend Pinoy Classics, there's a dirt of Filipino quality movies to be found there. But I also recommend Filams to learn Filipino because a lot of our movies are not subtitled. I would like to recommend this 1980 film, quite superb IMO, but it has no subtitles. It was uploaded on youtube, but it has since been deleted. Anyway, here's some info on it: The BEST PINOY FILM!



This is well worth the buy, you can get it here for $17.00 - KABAYAN CENTRAL

Here's a snippet of the film: AKO BATCH '81

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out! My Tagalog is pretty bad. I understand for the most part, but I don't feel comfortable enough to speak it. Watching without subtitles will probably help me get better though!

Yeah, I think embedding yourself in Tagalog films & music will help a long way with learning the language. Listen to Parokya Ni Edgar, he puts a lot of english words in his songs so it's very easy to learn Tagalog from that band. AKO Batch 81 is also in Taglish sometimes so it would be easier for you to watch it I think. But the movie Badjao I posted above is subtitled so it's another film that can help you along to learn the language.