MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) Academic Film Society (AFS) pays tribute to the Filipino masters of cinema with the event titled “Brocka, Bernal, and Diaz-Abaya: A Talk on Filipino Masters of Cinema" and a premiere screening of the digitally restored version of Bernal’s “Sugat sa Ugat,on September 27, 2023, in Cinematheque Centre Manila.

To honor the indelible contributions of the National Artists for Film, Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka, and Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Filipino filmmaker and academe member, Jose Javier Reyes delved deep into the themes, narrative techniques, and the contemporary relevance of their work to the Philippine film industry.

“With the case of Bernal, Brocka, and Abaya, being a filmmaker was not a job—it was a passion and it was a mission. They lived their life to the fullest with what they left behind as artifacts of Philippine history in their films,” Reyes said in his lecture. “In all their works, despite the diversity of who they were as individuals, they were all Filipinos and they all carried commitment and value to their cinema,” he continued..

Continuing the insightful discussion, the film talk featured the premiere screening of the digitally restored version of “Sugat sa Ugat”starring Christopher de Leon and Hilda Koronel. 

Bernal’s classic film follows the story of a provincial son who just graduated from law school as he sets out on a path of success, even if it means leaving behind his past and pursuing a woman beyond his means.

As part of the ongoing 3rd Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) and the Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM), the FDCP continues in its mission to honor the cinematic legends who have paved the way for the growth and triumph of the Philippine film industry. This film talk stands as a tribute to the rich heritage and artistic excellence that continue to define Philippine cinema.

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