Manila by Night

Manila by Night, also known as City After Dark, is a controversial 1980 Filipino film directed by Ishmael Bernal and starring 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 byIshmael Bernal
Written by
Produced byLily Y. Monteverde
Starring
Cinematography
  • Ely Cruz
  • Sergio Lobo
Edited byAugusto Salvador
Music byThe Vanishing Tribe
Production
companies
Regal Films
Experimental Cinema of the Philippines
Distributed byRegal Films
Release date
  • November 28, 1980 (1980-11-28)
Running time
151 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages

Synopsis

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

Cast

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 Salahawan 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 movie's original title is Manila by Night, but was later renamed to City After Dark. Former first lady Imelda Marcos asked it to be changed and banned for export. Marcos believes that the movie "maligns her city". The said movie was Ishmael Bernal's masterpiece. The characters are unique and realistic. The whole movie celebrates the night life in the streets of Manila, with the characters revolving around hookers, bisexuals, dope addicts and criminals.[5][6]

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


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