This Is My Country (film)

This Is My Country (Filipino: Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim) is a 1984 Filipino drama film that is directed by Lino Brocka. The film was a part of the main competition at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.[1] It was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 58th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.[2]

This Is My Country
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLino Brocka
Written byJose F. Lacaba
Based on
  • A Strike
    by Jose F. Lacaba
  • Host or Hostage
    by Jose Carreon
Produced byVéra Belmont
StarringPhillip Salvador
CinematographyConrado Baltazar
Edited by
  • Ike Jarlego Jr.
  • Roberto Yujeco
  • Hero Reyes
Music byJess Santiago
Production
companies
  • Malaya Films
  • Stéphan Films
Release dates
Running time
108 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

The film was released in the Philippines on November 6, 1985, and performed poorly at the box office.

Plot

Arturo "Turing" Manalastas (Phillip Salvador) together with his wife, Luz (Gina Alajar), works in a printing press. Turing was later forced to ask for a raise from his boss after his wife became pregnant. Turing's boss asked him to sign a waiver that he is not a member of any labor union. Shortly after, his friends invited him to be part of a labor union that they are planning to form but Turing has no option but to refuse due to his waiver. Turing was badly treated and was called a traitor after refusing to join. The printing press later closed and Luz is unable to get discharged from the hospital where she is confined due to pending fees. Turing needs money to pay the hospital bill so Luz can finally get out from the hospital and turns to crime to acquire the money he needs.[3]

Cast

Naming

The native name of the film "Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim" was derived from Bayan Ko, a protest song and "Kapit sa Patalim" (Gripping unto a Blade) came from the Filipino saying "Ang taong nagigipit, kahit sa patalim kumakapit" (A desperate person will even grip unto a blade).[3]

Release

The film included actual footage of demonstration which censors did not let the film to be screened in the Philippines. Director Lino Brocka appealed the Supreme Court to let the film be screened in the country. A year after its screening at the Cannes Film Festival, it was allowed to be screened in the Philippines on November 6, 1985 after it was given an R rating by the newly created Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB),[3] and it performed poorly at the box office.[4]

The film was restored in 2020 by Le Chat Qui Fume from the original 35mm camera negatives in 4K resolution.[5] The restored film was premiered on the Cannes Classic section during the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.[6] It was then released on Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray in 2021.[7]

References
  1. "Festival de Cannes: Bayan Ko: My Own Country". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  2. Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  3. "Dekada Cinemanila ends with "Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim"". PEP.ph. October 29, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  4. Wilson, John M. (February 16, 1986). "Moviegoing in Manila". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  5. "LE CHAT QUI FUME - BAYAN KO de Lino Brocka sera l'une de nos restaurations 4K de 2020". Facebook (in French). December 12, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  6. Keslassy, Elsa (July 15, 2020). "Cannes Film Festival Unveils Cannes Classics 2020 Lineup". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  7. "LE CHAT QUI FUME - Couverture de notre édition de BAYAN KO de Lino Brocka". Facebook (in French). September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
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