Cinema One Originals 2017 Movie Review: Marilou Diaz-Abaya's "MORAL" (1982) Digitally Restored & Remastered

Marilou Diaz-Abaya's Moral (1982)

1982 was a big year for Philippine cinema. The year's Metro Manila Film Festival debuted the all time favorite, critically-acclaimed masterpiece from Ishmael Bernal- the Nora Aunor starrer Himala. But aside from that, the film's writer, master storyteller Ricky Lee wrote another praise-worthy movie released at that same time. Moral (1982) produced by Seven Star Productions and directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, starred Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Sandy Andolong and Anna Marin. One of the official entries for the 1982 MMFF, it's a four-story movie about four friends at the height of youth activism in the years before Martial Law.

And last November 16, 2017 at the Trinoma Cinema 2, the ABS-CBN Film Restoration unveiled the film's digitally restored and remastered version. The special screening was graced by the film's writer, Mr. Ricky Lee himself, Marc Abaya (son of the lte director Marilou Diaz-Abaya) and one of the film's star, Ms. Lorna Tolentino. I was lucky enough to be invited and be part of the said event by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration.

With the Grand Slam Queen Ms. Lorna Tolentino

The film opens with the wedding of Maritess (Anna Marin) attended by her three classmates and best friends: Joey (Lorna Tolentino), Kathy (Gina Alajar) and Sylvia (Sandy Andolong). Joey is a drug user who sleeps around with different men. Kathy is a mediocre singer who will stop at nothing to fulfill her dream of the big-time. Sylvia is a liberated woman who finds security in the love of her gay ex-husband who is now living in with another man. Maritess ended up as a conventional housewife, who is reduced to a baby-making machine. In the span of three years from 1979 to 1982 the film traces the lives of these four women through their seemingly desperate but also interwoven experiences, and in their attempts to resolve their individual problems, are mirrored the different faces of the woman in our society today.

Despite the film being more than thirty years old already, it's undeniably entertaining. Honestly, I didn't even noticed the film's two hours and thirty minute running time because there was no dull or boring moment in the film. Each of the four characters had their own unique experiences, each telling a different story. I particularly liked Joey and Kathy's journey. Kathy's obsession of becoming famous is something that is very common these days in the age of social media. Joey's attempt of finding love from a guy who doesn't have feelings for her is something that anyone can relate to. The script, penned by Lee, was brimming with hip language, deep realizations in life and lovely humor. Matched with the artistic direction of helmer Marilou Diaz-Abaya, I love how the film's script introduced these four characters and build them up in a way that the audience can sympathize with them and willingly follow their lives. The way the characters were written and brought to life felt so raw and real.

The film boasts a powerful cast not only in the lead but also in it's supporting roles. There's the surprising portrayal of Juan Rodrigo and Lito Pimentel as Sylvia's gay ex and his lover. Dexter Doria steals the show with her short but memorable portrayal of a jealous mistress. We also have Odette Khan and Laurice Guillen to complete the list. Anna Marin and Sandy Andolong were both great in their roles as Maritess and Sylvia respectively. Gina Alajar's unforgettable turn as the ambitious Kathy was a really fun one. She brought the whole theater into laughter with her humorous quips and jokes. Watch out for that scene where she tries to hang out with Claire Dela Fuente and Amy Austria. It was absolutely hilarious and is probably one of the unforgettable scenes in the film. Lorna Tolentino was outstanding in her tour de force performance as the troubled Joey. She really stood out in this movie. I particularly liked those moments she shared with Ms. Laurice Guillen who plays her mother.

Regarding the film's quality, it was already made clear early on before the film played that there were a lot of difficulties in the restoration. This is because the film reels that they were able to contain had suffered from mold damage. This greatly affected the film's look and sound. Although there were some green shades that appear onscreen during some parts of the film, I think they were able to do a pretty good job in restoring the film. The whole movie still looks stunning in high definition. Overall, this has been one of those restored classics that I really enjoyed watching. I am surely looking forward to seeing more of these restored classics.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5

"Moral" (1982)
Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, starring Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Sandy Andolong and Anna Marin

Cinema One Originals 2017 Movie Review: Danny L. Zialcita's "Langis at Tubig" (1980) Digitally Restored & Remastered

If two marriages is bigamy, is one... monotony?

Back when the Metro Manila Film Festival wasn't all about the money, but instead about the movies, melodrama master Danny L. Zialcita (T-Bird at ako, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?, Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi) blessed the MMFF patrons with a one of a kind film that made a big impact in Philippine cinema. Langis at Tubig (1980) starring Vilma Santos, Amy Austria and Dindo Fernando is one of those classic romance drama films that tackled infidelity in a whole new way. And last November 14, 2017 at Glorietta Cinema 4, the ABS-CBN Film Restoration has unveiled the film's digitally restored and remastered version, as part of this year's Cinema One Originals festival.

Thank you ABS-CBN Film Restoration for the invitation!

Bobby (Dindo Fernando) is a man secretly in love with his neighbour and friend Cory (Vilma Santos) but who is living-in with her partner Charlie (Ronaldo Valdez). However, Cory decides to leave Charlie upon discovering his deepest secret that he is a married man. This gives Bobby the chance to show his true feelings for Cory and marries her even adopting the child Charlie has left in her womb. Bobby lives the life of a perfect husband with Cory and accepts a job assignment in Albay shuttling to and from Manila to support his new family. In the province, he meets Pilar (Amy Austria) a lovely town girl. His friendship with Pilar blossoms and they find themselves falling for each other, with Bobby concealing his real marital status. Soon the two learn that she is pregnant and the family forces them into marriage. Consequently, the women discover that Bobby is living a lie and is married to two women. He is forced to make a crucial decision, which of his marriages must be honour? Or will he faced the prospect of getting charged with bigamy? Source: Star for All Seasons 

The film's set-up is pretty much simple. We have seen a lot of similarly themed drama films in the past that tackles infidelity. Only here, the man ended up marrying both women. What sets this movie apart from the other is the way the movie was stylized. It stands out among other films with Danny L. Zialcita's trademark: his witty script brimming with quotable quotes like “…handa akong magparaya, kung gusto niya isang linggo sa kanya, isang linggo sa akin. Kung ayaw niya, anim na araw sa kanya, isang araw sa akin. Kung ayaw pa rin niya lahat na ng araw ay sa kanya na." These quotes which were very beautiful and poetic (though a bit campy and cheesy at times) makes every conversation of the characters so much fun and engaging. The way the actors also deliver these lines makes the dialogues believable and acceptable. They are so committed to each character that they're playing. 

I actually loved the way Zialcita shot the scenes when a tension starts to unfold or a revelation is made. They were very campy and it felt like you're watching a telenovela, particularly those zoom in shots to the character's faces when they hear or discover something. Then, there's the crazy sex scenes that ranges from poetic (like Cory and Bobby having their honeymoon in the forest) to downright outrageous (Pilar and Bobby's sex at the hay stack intercut with clips of a fruit being cleaved in half).

All of this couldn't have worked if not for the wonderful cast of the film. Dindo Fernando proved his amazing acting skills here in this film. No wonder he was awarded the FAMAS and the MMFF Best Actor award that year for his portrayal of Bobby. Amy Austria was also good in her performance as Pilar. It was so fun when she started planning on confronting Cory about their husband. She was also able show off her dramatic prowess during her scenes with her emotional father.

Tatay: Ganoon mo ba siya kamahal? 

Pilar: Tulad ng lupa at ng bahay na nakatirik doon. Tamaan man ng hangin, susuhayan. Daanan man ng bagyo, tatayo. Pasukin man ng dayuhan, ipaglalaban. Ikamamatay.

I was so surprised when Vic Silayan showed up in a special role as the judge. It was fun seeing him in other roles since the only movie I recall seeing him was Kisapmata (1981). There's also that hilarious aunt played by Adul de Leon that got everyone inside the cinema laughing. Of course, Vilma Santos will always be Vilma Santos. She was amazing in her portrayal of Cory. Director Zialcita gave her a lot of great moments to shine in this film. She also had the most number of unforgettable lines among the characters. Only Ms. Vilma Santos can throw ridiculously long lines like these but still sound believable and sympathetic.

"...Bobby you gave me hope. You made me a wife. You showed me love when there's only hatred. Ginawa mo ako kung ano ako ngayon, babae."

Regarding the digital restoration of the film, I must say that Central Digital Lab did a wonderful job in digitizing, restoring, and remastering this classic. The picture looks so crisp and stunning in high definition. It was like the film was just shot yesterday. Though there were some parts when the audio sound changed (it was explained early before the screening that they had to use different sources of the audio of the film, including one the version for television broadcast), this did not really affected my enjoyment of the film. We are indeed so lucky that we have organizations like the ABS-CBN Film Archives who aims in preserving classic Filipino films before it's too late. If not because of them, maybe we won't get a chance to get a glimpse of these masterpiece. I definitely agree, we all deserve to watch classic films.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5

"Langis at Tubig" (1980)
Directed by Danny L. Zialcita, starring Vilma Santos, Amy Austria and Dindo Fernando

REELive The Classics presents "Don't Give Up On Us" (Digitally Restored & Remastered) Red Carpet Premiere

The ABS-CBN Film Restoration, the digital film restoration project of ABS-CBN Corporation in partnership with Central Digital Lab, has successfully digitized, restored, and remastered more than a hundred Filipino films in the past couple of years. And last Sunday, November 5, 2017, they have unveiled their latest addition to their long list of classic Filipino movies restored in high definition.

Piolo Pascual gracing the red carpet premiere

Thank you ABS-CBN Film Restoration for the invites!

Last Sunday, 7 PM at Power Plant Mall, Makati, they unveiled the digitally restored and remastered version of Bb. Joyce Bernal's 2006 blockbuster hit Dont Give Up On Us, starring Piolo Pascual and Judy ann Santos. The film was their fourth movie together, and has grossed PHP 135 Million at the box-office. They also revealed that three other films starring Piolo and Juday will be screened as part of their REELive The Classics line-up, namely Kahit Isang Saglit (2000), Bakit di Totohanin (2001) and Till There Was You (2003). The red carpet premiere was graced by director Bernal herself, and the film's lead actor Piolo Pascual. (More photos from the premiere below)

Piolo Pascual presenting the film.

Piolo Pascual, together with director Bb. Joyce Bernal.

Piolo Pascual sharing his thoughts
about the film restoration project of ABS-CBN.

We look forward to seeing more restored Filipino classic movies in the future.

All of this thanks to the ABS-CBN Film Restoration project.

Cinema Classics presents the restored version of "Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit"

Philippine cinema will never be complete without classic films from the past. It is very important that we look back to these films from the yesteryear because these movies served as the foundation for today's cinema. This is why we are very grateful for the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project, a joint project of ABS-CBN Corporation and Central Digital Lab. The digital film restoration project is spearheaded by Leo Katigbak of ABS-CBN Film Archives and Manet Dayrit of Central Digital Lab and aims to digitally restore and have already successfully digitized, restored, and remastered over one hundred (100) films into a Digital Cinema Package format with a maximum pixel resolution of 1080p at 24 frames per second. These films are now being made available for today's audiences through limited theatrical runs, film festivals, free-to-air and cable television, DVDs, pay per view, and other over-the-top content platforms such as iTunes.

And last February 27, 2017, they kicked off their latest line-up of classic restored films with the 1991 Carlos Siguion-Reyna romantic-drama Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit starring Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez. The uncut original 35mm picture negative taken from the storage of the producer, ReynaFilms, was used as the source for the said restoration. The digitally restored and remastered film had it's special premiere night at Glorietta 4 where the stars of the film were also present. Aside from the film's two leads, the other actors and actresses from the 1991 classic were also present in the event, like Eric Quizon and Vangie Labanan. Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna also shared some of their fondest memories from the film's production, which was an updated adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel, Wuthering Heights.

Richard Gomez plays Gabriel in the 1991 classic.

Dawn Zulueta plays Carmina graces the red carpet premiere.

Eric Quizon who plays Alan in the movie, shares his thoughts about the film restoration project.

The timeless loveteam of Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez as they are interviewed by the press.

The original cast of the film, including Ms.Vangie Labanan, Eric Quizon, Richard Gomez and the director Carlos Siguion-Reyna.