Author Topic: WHO ARE YOUR TOP 5 FILIPINO DIRECTORS? (Read 12872 times)

llanesmark777 · « **on:** Feb 07, 2004 at 04:32 AM »

To all the readers im not that good in terms of who are the best filipino film directors? Why do you like them? And what film did there real best.

greatbop · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 07, 2004 at 09:41 AM »

NONE. they all suck. they're all unimaginitive.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 07, 2004 at 09:55 AM »

Quote from: greatbop on Feb 07, 2004 at 09:41 AM

NONE. they all suck. they're all unimaginitive.

Yeah. Right.

wedge · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 07, 2004 at 07:29 PM »

One lang, p're: Mike de Leon lang...

RMN · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 07, 2004 at 08:14 PM »

Mike de Leon---> he's a freaking genius! And he made, at least to me, only one dud. Have yet to see "Bilango sa Dilim" though.
Lino Brocka---> he may have done alot of forgettable flix during the latter part of his career, but the movies that he made during the 70's best captured the look, feel, and tension of the period.
Mario O' Hara---> have only seen two of his works but it is enough for me to conclude how good a director he is.

I can so far name only three. Should I add Mike Relon Makiling? Tony Y. Reyes? Carlo J.?

Reuven Malter · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 01:32 AM »

I never miss any of their works:

Joyce Bernal
Jeff Jeturian
Laurice Guillen
Mike De Leon
Quark Henares

After Crying Ladies, I won't miss any of Mark Meily's works.

RMN · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 01:39 AM »

I forgot to add Lav Diaz

keating · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 12:47 PM »

My top 5 Filipino filmmakers:

1. PEQUE GALLAGA- he's on top form during the 80's with 5 movies I really like from Oro Plata Mata, Scorpio Nights, Virgin Forest, Unfaithful Wife to ISANG ARAW WALANG DIYOS.

2. LINO BROCKA/ISHMAEL BERNAL (RIP)-the 70's & 80's will never be complete without these two National Artists.

3. MIKE DE LEON- no need for explanation. The next National Artist. ITIM you can just watch it over & over again and you always see something new.

4. Maryo J. delos Reyes- Magnifico deserves all the hype, Tagos ng Dugo had a rough sailing with the censors, Bagets defined the movie of my youth. Forgot the other one with Charo Santos as the female patriarch which spans three generations.

5. Jeffrey Jeturian- he's a mix of Brocka & Bernal.

indie boi · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 01:09 PM »

Mike de Leon
Lino Brocka
Ishmael Bernal
Gerry de Leon

Based on their respective bodies of work, these four are tops in my list.

For the fifth slot, it will be a toss-up between Raymond Red and Kidlat Tahimik.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 01:15 PM »

Top five?

5) Ishmael Bernal - great cynic of Philippine Cinema, also its funniest filmmaker

4) Mike de Leon - chill, perhaps crazed hermit genius, the cinema's great intellectual.

3) Gerardo de Leon - great classicist, with a John Ford eye (maybe only Celso Ad. Castillo is his equal), and a number of films on an incredibly wide range of subjects.

2) Lino Brocka - maybe the one filmmaker that best speaks out the heart of the Filipino. His true specialty was a narrow range--social-realist drama--but when he was at top form no one could touch him.

1) Mario O'Hara - What can I say? Great eye, great actor, greater scriptwriter, a triple threat. The wildest imagination, the most moving, most understated, truest storytelling style. I'd pick Breakwater over that hobbit film anytime, in an instant.

RMN · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 03:30 PM »

I have to see more films by Gerry de Leon...

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 03:48 PM »

His Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo, it's a great fantasy film.

masterbaker · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 03:57 PM »

Laurice Guillen- Salome
Celso ad Castillo- Burlesk Queen
Lino Broka- Ina ka ng anak mo
Ishmael Bernal- City after dark
Maryo J. delos Reyes- Tagos ng dugo

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 04:13 PM »

Oh, best works. Well...

Ishmael Bernal - Manila by Night

Mike de Leon - Kisapmata

Gerardo de Leon - El Filibusterismo

Lino Brocka - Insiang

Mario O'Hara - Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos

On sceond thought, I'd put Gerry in fourth place, Mike on third. El Fili's great, but Kisapmata had a stronger impact on me.

edsa77 · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 08, 2004 at 10:27 PM »

1. Lino Brocka (Insiang)/Mario O'hara (Tatlong Taong Walang Dios)
2. Mike de Leon(Kisapmata) - wala siyang katapat...at walang kapalit
3. Peque Gallaga(Oro,Plata, Mata)/ Celso Ad Castillo(Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak)
4. Jeffrey Jeturian(Pila Balde)/ Lav Diaz(Batang Westside)
5. Raymond Red (Anino)/Aureus Solito(Huling El Bimbo, the best Pinoy MTV evaah!)

special mention : Joey Gosiengfiao and Elwood Perez

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 09, 2004 at 04:43 AM »

Interesting, you pair em? Why is that, may I ask?

Excellent choices, nevertheless. I especially like the Elwood / Joey mention.

Ey--no Bernal? Tikoy Aguiluz? Sabagay, I don't have on my list either, along with Conde and Silos (they'd probably be in the next five).

keating · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 09, 2004 at 07:49 PM »

Quote from: Noel_Vera on Feb 08, 2004 at 04:13 PM

Oh, best works. Well...

Ishmael Bernal - Manila by Night

Mike de Leon - Kisapmata

Gerardo de Leon - El Filibusterismo

Lino Brocka - Insiang

Mario O'Hara - Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos

On sceond thought, I'd put Gerry in fourth place, Mike on third. El Fili's great, but Kisapmata had a stronger impact on me.

Even Joel David cites MANILA BY NIGHT as Bernal's best.

In his book he tried to compare PEQUE GALLAGA to MARIO O'HARA.

No one can match the campiness of films made by Elwood & Joey Gosienfiao. Those flirty movies are now part of history even though they are not on the best or greatest Filipino films ever made.

Maybe in the future there will be a retrospective of PEREZ & GOSIENFIAO movies.

edsa77 · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 09, 2004 at 08:30 PM »

Quote from: Noel_Vera on Feb 09, 2004 at 04:43 AM

Interesting, you pair em? Why is that, may I ask?

Excellent choices, nevertheless. I especially like the Elwood / Joey mention.

Ey--no Bernal? Tikoy Aguiluz? Sabagay, I don't have on my list either, along with Conde and Silos (they'd probably be in the next five).

Syet. I forgot Bernal. Lemme tweak my choices. Tikoy is in 6th place. I decided not to include the old masters (silos,conde,de leon) kasi I am yet to see their other products. Though Brocka and Bernal made waves in the 70s, I think the artistic outputs of Mario is heavier than that of Bernal. Brocka is Brocka. He is perhaps the most influential Filipino film maker of all time. I mentioned to
Jeffrey Jeturian before na for every decade, at least two good film makers emerge.

70s 1/2 : Bernal/Brocka
70s 1/2 : Gallaga/ Castillo
80s 1/2 : O'hara/de Leon
80s 1/2 : Abbo/ Tikoy
90s 1/2 : Red/Solito
90s 1/2 : Jeturian/Diaz

Nothing profound behind the pairings, I just wanted to squeezed in my faves. Eh kung top ten, di si Brocka na ang number 1.

1. Lino Brocka (Insiang)/Mario O'hara (Tatlong Taong Walang Dios)
2. Ishmael Bernal(Manila by Night)/Mike de Leon(Kisapmata)
3. Peque Gallaga(Oro,Plata, Mata)/ Celso Ad Castillo(Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak)
4. Jeffrey Jeturian(Pila Balde)/ Lav Diaz(Batang Westside)
5. Raymond Red (Anino)/Aureus Solito(Huling El Bimbo, the best Pinoy MTV evaah!)

-------------
6. Tikoy Aguiluz(Boatman)/ Abbo dela Cruz (Misterio sa Tuwa)

special mention : Joey Gosiengfiao and Elwood Perez

Funny thing is si Bernal at Brocka na lang ang hindi ko pa namimeet in person. Hehehehe. My friend Jay told me that it was Mike de Leon whom he pointed out during the Cinemanila premiere of Y Tu Mama two years ago . Kung siya iyon, man, he is old.

Sadly, after Jeturian and Diaz, walang sumunod na magaling.

edsa77 · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 09, 2004 at 08:43 PM »

Quote from: greatbop on Feb 07, 2004 at 09:41 AM

NONE. they all suck. they're all unimaginitive.

poor u. u dont exist. hehehe

dont ever bitch pinoy movies/director in front of me.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 10, 2004 at 07:02 AM »

Quote from: keating on Feb 09, 2004 at 07:49 PM

In his book he tried to compare PEQUE GALLAGA to MARIO O'HARA.

Ah, that's where he leaped out the window and flew into the Twilight Zone. I heartily disagree.

Gallaga, to his credit, acknowledges his masters, and cites Tatlong Taong as one of his favorite films.

It doesn't hurt that he gives a wonderful, wonderful performance in that film

(he does, I think he has a real career as an actor).

"retrospective on Perez and Gosengfiao"

In a better, more open-minded world there would be.

Phobos · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 10, 2004 at 09:22 AM »

Quote from: greatbop on Feb 07, 2004 at 09:41 AM

NONE. they all suck. they're all unimaginitive.

Somehow, I'm reminded of an Eskimo claiming that summer in Hawaii "sucks" because he didn't like the picture he saw on a battered postcard one time.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 10, 2004 at 09:27 AM »

Quote from: Phobos on Feb 10, 2004 at 09:22 AM

Somehow, I'm reminded of an Eskimo claiming that summer in Hawaii "sucks" because he didn't like the picture he saw on a battered postcard one time.

Gotcha, but me, it's February, and I'm trying to be nice.

Groucho G · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 04:12 AM »

I rarely contribute to threads I know next to absolutely nothing, but maybe I can add my two cents and use whatever I know to look at our own directorial visionaries. My subjective take (in no particular order):

(1) Kidlat Tahimik - I don't know if his Perfumed Nightmare was done intentionally to provoke post-structuralist readings but that film constantly open newer avenues for alternative interpretations other than what Fredric Jameson wrote about it and art naif in general. I haven't seen Tahimik's Turumba nor his other one with a longish title that has a color on it, but I surely rank him as one of the auteurs the Philippines produced with a vision almost staggering in its ambition and promise. Does he still produce a film? I wonder where he is based now.

(2) Mike de Leon is almost in everyone's list and I join the chorus of approval. I don't know what's it about me that just believe that this eccentric director can't do no wrong. Kakabakaba Ka Ba? may be dated but powerful and revolutionary in its magnificent use of genre and of breaking that tradition in subtle ways by using colonialism and imperialism as its theme. Kisapmata is very organic and an intense experience to watch. So's with Bayaning Third World which revisits and revises our convention in valorizing national heroes.

(3) Peque Gallaga's epic scale and grandeur is a marvel. Raves have been heaped on him about his films from Oro Plata Mata to even Ang Kabit ni Mrs Montero because of the singularity of focus and the multi-lingual way (in cinematic terms) he engages his viewers. He has a certain visual style that unmistakably borrows from the masters of classical art, be it painting or opera (the diegetic use of Lily Pons in one scene in Oro Plata Mata has an erudition and attention to detail that's almost Scorsesean). Obviously I have not seen all of his films, but the little I watched, enthralled and engaged me.

Lord, identifying the last two directors is getting harder than I thought.

(4) Lav Diaz's Batang Westside shows great promise even if most people remember its length rather than the brilliant employment of staticness and non-formula pace in telling a story of alienated Filipinos abroad. I have not seen his other films, but this one film and its possibilities point to an artist that can further take the spectator to new heights.

(5) Ishmael Bernal's very special way in creating ordinary lives stand out is in itself an achievement, I think. Himala is a miracle indeed with its Biblical allusions and the for creating a vivid picture of mass hysteria in a small town. Nunal sa Tubig is also special because of its borrowing from Indian filmmaking (where Bernal I think finished a degree or something?). I guess what I like about his film is an almost tongue-in-cheek understanding of what Third Cinema constitutes and how he can make it distinctively Filipino rather than Latin American where Third Cinema germinated.

Others I like include:

Lino Brocka - outstanding in his depictions of the subaltern and using backdrops that relate to our Christian tradition. I love most of his films though my only gripe (and this is just me, I'm sure) is that his films, while showing the grittiness of urban life as correlative to capitalism's non-privileging of the poor, sometimes end where the subaltern he closely identifies with, dying and being victims of dominant ideologies. I'm sure there are film scholars in this thread who can shed light more about this than me, but that's what I see as recurring in his films and I think its not transformative enough.

Tikoy Aguiliz - is best when he constructs urban dramas about deception and crimes of the heart. If given the right material, Tikoy can astound as much as he can bring you to unexpected places. I like his revisionist Flor Contemplacion film better than the one with Nora Aunor (even if I only have the highest respect to the superstar).

On the strength of Babae sa Bubungang Lata and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, I, too salute Mario O'Hara. I haven't seen Babae sa Breakwater yet but I might get a VCD of it when I go back to Manila.

I also see great promise in Jeff Jeturian and this director who did Magnifico and Radyo. Pardon my sacrilege but I didn't quite "get" Utang ni Tatang much as I would like to. Was this Raymond Red's? I met him three or four years ago in CineManila and he was kind enough to give me his card when I told him I am a fan of Anino and his other short film prior to this (the title of which escapes me but which I prefer over Anino). But the creativity to break new grounds is there.

And that's it actually. Obviously I have not seen much Filipino films. I only watch those which are recommended and those I find intriguing in premise.

I would like to watch the films of Celso Ad Castillo, Elwood Perez, Quark Henares and this young director whose name I forgot but which I was meaning to ask for more info from people here in the List.

Lastly, after gorging myself to a lot of film theory readings in grad school this semester, I realized one thing and I am serious here: seems that those with a singular vision as directors and with the capacity to treat camera and subject by their own terms are those who started out as film critics, like Godard and Truffaut. It would be interesting what critics like Roland Tolentino and Noel Vera can do when given the chance to meg their own films.

kakabanas · « **Reply #23 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 05:04 AM »

Of the ones I saw, here's my top 5 .. but not necessarily in order of their ranking. I don't think I could rank them since they all have different styles. They all have different strengths and weaknesses.

* Lino Brocka. Of his films that I saw, I got blown away the most by Insiang. Not to underestimate his other works, I love most of them (Maynila Sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Jaguar, Bona, Bayan Ko, Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo, Cain at Abel, Miguelito Ang Batang Rebelde) but his works from the late 80s onward were really not impressive (Macho Dancer, Orapronobis). My biggest "regret" if you can call it that way, was never seing Tubog Sa Ginto.

* Mike de Leon. When I saw Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, I was laughing so hard. I thought I should check out his other works. Kisapmata. Batch '81. Itim. Bayaning Third World. I think he also did Karnal, but I thought that movie was a little shaky.

* Ishmael Bernal. Himala and Manila By Night were good enough for me. Didn't he do Relasyon and Hinugot Sa Langit (that abortion movie by Maricel Soriano) ? I did like Nunal sa Tubig. I thought it was good story telling and the actors delivered good performances ( Daria Ramirez and Elizabeth Oropesa).

* Mario O' Hara. I saw Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos because of Nora Aunor. I was too young to care who the director was. Next time I saw it, I was already aware of these things and decided to check out his other works (Bulaklak ng City Jail, Condemned, Bagong Hari, which sadly didn't get a lot of attention as it was shown I think around the Edsa revolution).

I have a couple of names to complete my 5 best but I really can't decide which one to elevate into that pedestal.

Laurice Guillen - Salome. Init Sa Magdamag. If only she made more.

Celso Ad Castillo - Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak, Burlesk Queen. I can't say much since I heard most of his best works were in the 70s, and sadly, didn't know any of them.

Peque Gallaga. Truth be told, I prefer his episode in the first Shake, Rattle and Roll movie, the one with Herbert Bautista and Irma Alegre (yata) in the Mananaggal episode over Scorpio Nights and Oro, Plata, Mata (great cinematography).

Maryo J. delos Reyes. Bagets. Saan Darating Ang Umaga? Tagos ng Dugo. All good films for me, but others I think were either too light or just didn't live up to my expectations.

I wish I saw more of Gerry de Leon, Eddie Romero, Chito Rono.

indie boi · « **Reply #24 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 07:44 AM »

I think Kidlat is still based in Baguio. From what I hear, his son is also starting to delve into filmmaking. Groucho, that other title you were thinking of could be "Bakit Yellow ang Gitna ng Rainbow?" I've seen both and they're awesome cinema.

Kakabanas, Karnal was directed by Marilou Diaz Abaya. De Leon directed Kisapmata.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #25 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 09:13 AM »

Kaka, I'd include Laurice and Celso as my next five, along with Lamberto Avellana, Tikoy Aguiluz, Lav Diaz, Manuel Conde, Manuel Silos, and Raymond Red. Definitely some of the better Filipino filmmakers around.

My favorite Kidlat would be Turumba. It's not as radical as Perfumed Nightmare, but I think it's aged better and is pretty funny, in an understated way.

kakabanas · « **Reply #26 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 09:54 AM »

Quote from: indie boi on Feb 11, 2004 at 07:44 AM

.

Kakabanas, Karnal was directed by Marilou Diaz Abaya. De Leon directed Kisapmata.

Thanks. I stand corrected.

kakabanas · « **Reply #27 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 10:00 AM »

Quote from: Noel_Vera on Feb 11, 2004 at 09:13 AM

Kaka, I'd include Laurice and Celso as my next five, along with Lamberto Avellana, Tikoy Aguiluz, Lav Diaz, Manuel Conde, Manuel Silos, and Raymond Red. Definitely some of the better Filipino filmmakers around.

I don't think I have seen an Avellana, Conde, or Silos film. If I am not mistaken, they were from 40s-60s. I am not that old (hehehe) and I don't have access to those films.

I only saw The Boatman once, for Aguiluz, and I was impressed. But one film doesn't make it for me. Same with Raymond Red. I hope I could see more of his films.

I haven't seen any Lav Diaz movies.

So with that in mind, I can't include them even in my next 5. Sowee, but thanks Noel. I'll keep them in mind when I get the chance.

Groucho G · « **Reply #28 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 10:29 AM »

Indieboi, thanks for that info on Kidlat Tahimik. It would be interesting to see him do another film in the light of the available technology that flooded the market. And yes, that's the film I was referring to and I like its Filipino title better than its English title because it captures our moment of bi-lingualism more. I think.

Noel, are his films in VCD or DVD formats and are they available in the market? I would like to get subtitled ones I can show around here in campus. I heard about Turumba from one article I read in a film journal and I envy these non-Filipinos for having watched these films before I did (sorry, its just my Aries zodiac sign that wants itself first in everything).

And I just remembered the other short film of Raymond Red that impressed me more than Anino: its Ang Magpakailanman -- beautiful title.

I still can't remember this young Filipino director who did a promising debut film. But from what I remembered people talking about it, its MTVish with some splashes of originality. I have to see that one if only I can remember its title and the director. God, my memory is quite selective. I must be having early signs of Alzheimer's.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #29 on:** Feb 11, 2004 at 10:29 AM »

Quote from: kakabanas on Feb 11, 2004 at 10:00 AM

I only saw The Boatman once, for Aguiluz, and I was impressed. But one film doesn't make it for me.

Segurista (Dead Sure) is probably available on Viva VCDs. Also Rizal sa Dapitan. Cinema One shows Bagong Bayani once in a while. Those would be some of his best works.

"Same with Raymond Red. I hope I could see more of his films."

The shorts are available for viewing at UP Film Center and Mowelfund. They're much better than his features.