BILANGGO SA DILIM (Mike de Leon, 1986)
Can't help but to shout in raves and cheers after watching this videofilm last night. Marketed as a videomovie back in 1986 which opened the first Independent Film & Video Festival in Wave Cinema in Cubao, BILANGGO SA DILIM can qualify though as a mainstream art house flick with the talents of Joel Torre, Rio Locsin and Cherie Gil combined in an ensemble acting plus Rody Lacap and Ely Cruz as part of the production team, Pablo Biglang-Awa for the title sequence, editing and Jun Latonio for the haunting musical score. Based on a John Fowles novel, THE COLLECTOR.....a man locked in the world of obsession and paranoia refused to confront his past amidst the guilt of murdering his kidnap victim and kidnapping another one. Joel Torre shines in his characterization as Lito/Eddie..... beyond doubt is even much better than Anthony Perkins in PSYCHO, Jack Nicholson in THE SHINING. Cherie Gil's sensuality and bravura performance exudes throughout the film especially in the climactic chase scene where Mike de Leon cuts to a high-angle slow motion shot of the protagonists worthy enough to keep you at the edge-of-your-seat!
With only less than 15 films tucked in his filmography, no one never questions the man's technical competence. Since his films have always been polished and flawless in terms of technical craftmanship. The limitation of the video medium that he demonstrated in BILANGGO SA DILIM declares his return to art form after dabbling in the box-office hit komiks melodrama HINDI NAHAHATI ANG LANGIT, high artistry inspite of the limitation of the medium. If this videofilm will be released now, it might be the best among all the indies combined. And with such a small resources, you can always count on the genius of Mike de Leon.