Historical Background of Philippine Cinema

Historical Background (American Period)

• Film industry in the Philippines began in 1897.
• Foreign businessmen, particularly Swiss entrepreneurs, initiated it.
• The first film shows were in Manila.
• The film became popular in 1912 due to foreigners Edward Gross and Harry Brown's film about Dr. Jose Rizal.
• The first locally produced film is hypothesized to be La Vida de Rizal.
• Rivals quickly made a second film titled La Pasion Y Muerte de Dr. Rizal.
• José Nepomuceno, considered the "Father of Philippine Movies," founded a production company called Malayan Movies in 1917.
• He produced the film Dalagang Bukid (Country Maiden) in 1919, starring Atang de la Rama.
• In 1930, he produced the masterpiece, Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer).
• Early Filipino films were influenced by Hollywood's style, as local directors followed Hollywood movies as models.
• Despite these early successes, Filipino producers' quality of film production was not as high as American films due to outdated technology and limited budgets.
• The films usually portrayed the lives of Filipinos and utilized Tagalog as the language in the films.
• Tagalog was a significant factor in attracting a Filipino audience as most Filipinos did not understand English during that time.
• Philippine literature, like Francisco Baltazar's Florante at Laura, Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere, and El Filibusterismo, served as sources in the movie themes.

Historical Background (War Era - Japanese)

• World War II caused an awareness of violence and conflict to be reflected in Filipino films in the 1940s.
• The Japanese occupation halted Filipino filmmaking until the occupiers revitalized film for propaganda purposes.

Historical Background (Post War)

• Post-war Filipino films primarily focused on war stories.

Historical Background (1950s - 1st Golden Age)

• An increase in films led to the creation of film companies such as Sampalguita Pictures, Premiere Productions, Lebran International, and LVN Pictures (Big Four).
• Philippines started gaining strength and flourished during the 1950s.
• The full-color Philippine film was Prinsipe Amante (1951), directed by Lamberto V. Avellana.

Historical Background (1960s)

• Film studios experienced decline.
• Independent producers played a significant role in the film industry and dominated it.
• Sex films (bomba) started entering the movie industry.
• Films catering to star fans and the popularity of slapstick comedies and action movies emerged.

Historical Background (1970s-1980s 2nd Golden Age)

• During the Marcos regime, the government regulated filmmaking.
• The implementation of the Board of Censorship Motion Pictures (BMCP) resulted in film scripts being pre-screened before production.
• This practice focused more on the content of films.
• New young directors arose, starting the new cinema.
• Important films are Orapronobis (1989) Manila by Night (1980), Itim (1976), and Asedillo (1971).
• Films continued to revolve around themes of nationalism, love, social issues in a hostile environment.
• Alternative cinema, which utilized lightweight technology, was established through school-based venues and international film festivals.
• Key Directors included; Kidlat Tahimik, who produced Perfumed Nightmare.
• Filmmakers like Lino Brocka influenced the period.

Contemporary Period

• Contemporary Filipino films encompassed various subjects including melodramas, comedies, martyr wives, superheroes and action movies.
• Films, like Toto (2015) and Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria, are popular.
• Film is the most popular art form.
• Regionally CCP's Coordinating Center for Film established educational and outreach programs that promote quality film and conducted film training courses.

Contemporary Film in Luzon: Toto (2015)

• Local film directed by John Paul Su
• Sid Lucero won Best Actor
• Film takes an often light-hearted look at Filipino obsession with the American dream

Contemporary Film in Visayas: Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (2010)

• Director Remton Siega Zuasola
• Film is about a young lady choosing whether to leave her family to be a mail-order bride.

Contemporary Film in Mindanao: Moro2mrw Book 1: Daughters of the Three-tailed Banner (2016)

• Directed by filmmaker Teng Mangansakan
• A commentary on the Bangsamoro people's fight for self-determination.
• The 80-minute film tells the stories of two Moro women, Kadiguia.
• A matriarch of a clan, decides to marry off her daughter to continue the line of martyrs and warriors.