Seen Ploning at last. One thing that can be said about the film is that it's handsome to look at (Charlie Peralta is credited as DP). Other films that comes to mind:
Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? - Viva Film's sophomore output is a masterclass in glossy melodrama for which they became well-known. The opulent locales, Romeo Vitug's cinematography, and the icing on the cake: fabulous wardrobe for Vilma Santos,Hilda Koronel,Dindo Fernando,and company, courtesy of Christian Espiritu, that almost upstaged Danny Zialcita's beguiling, though implausible, love triangle drama. Best bit/s: the three lead characters in all of those to-die-for clothes.
Noli Me Tangere - Gerardo De Leon pulled all the stops to his film adapt of Jose Rizal's highly regarded novel; his earlier (and no less brilliant) Sisa was just a rehearsal,in hindsight. DP is Emmanuel Rojas and, if I'm not mistaken, De Leon's fellow National Artist Botong Francisco is involved with production/costume design. Best bit/s: Sisa (Lina Carino) running through the street, across the screen, with Mt Arayat in the background.
Oro,Plata,Mata - a triumph in technical brilliance, Salvador Bernal (costume design), Don Escudero and Rodell Cruz (production design), and Rody Lacap (cinematography) were behind the visual delights of Peque Gallaga's masterpiece. Best bit/s: Trining (Cherie Gil) and Miguel (Joel Torre) in a slow-mo shot frolicking witn an herd of sheep.
Karnal - it's so well-designed, I can feel the dust and the sweat. This is one of the many collaborations between Marilou Diaz-Abaya and her husband-cinematographer Manolo; Fiel Zabat is production designer. Best bit/s: the patricide scene.
Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit - Carlitos Siguion-Reyna's second outing introduced him to a wider audience, and his eye for aesthetics were realised with the tandem of Romy Vitug (cinematography), Joey Luna (production design), and the gorgeous pair that is Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez. Best bit/s: those final scenes set against a Batanes sunset.
Private Show - Chito Rono's debut showed what this wunderkind can do, but strangely, all the colours that I can remember from this film are black and white. V bleak film, indeed. Credited as DP is Joe Tutanes, production design is by Dante Mendoza. Best bit: the final scene.
