艾麗絲謝影話隨筆交匯處

Dear Mr. Abad,

Good day to you.

I 'm one of the viewer of IMDB and also fond of movie. I saw your film review on Ishmael Bernal's "City after dark, Manila by Night".

Many years ago, I read one movie critic wrote a film review about "Himala" (Miracle) by Filipino Director Ishmael Bernal. I remember this movie name and want to pursue his movie to watch. Even I have never watched the Philippine movie, also not the Filipino

However, it seems difficult to find Ishmael Bernal's movie because his movie never release any DVD or VCD. Could you please to tell me that where can you find "City after dark, Manila by Night"? Also, have you ever seen “Himala” (Miracle)?

Thank you for your attention and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,

Agnes Tse

Hong Kong

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Kristdann Abad wrote:

Hi Agnes,

It's interesting to know that a non-Filipino will be interested in viewing Filipino films. That's wonderful. I myself have viewed some Hongkong films in the past, namely, The Wedding Banquet, House of Flying Daggers, etc. You are probably one big movie fan.

With regards to your question, I have seen both films, and both movies were spectacularly directed. However, I don't have any access to them. I only saw them in special screenings in Manila. Now, I'm in the States so it's much more difficult for me to get a hold of those films. I will email you again when I get the chance to know where we could find good Ishmael Bernal films. Good day!

Kris

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Dear Kris,

I 'm so glad of your prompt reply.

About Ishmael Bernal, I can search some information of his biography and filmography. How prestige does his work have in the Philippines? Can you describe what unique place in his movies? I hope I will be able to introduce those movies to my movie–maniac- friends in future. :)

Strictly said, The Wedding Banquet was a Taiwan Movie; House of Flying Daggers was a China Movie (However, Andy Lau is HK actor) . Although I ‘m HK people but seldom to watching HK movies. Recent years, the standard of HK movie is unstable. Many movies were released but unpopular. The Young actor (their regular job is singer!) not only has not attracted audience, but also own poor performing skills. Although so, I still like some HK actors (especially Maggie Cheung, her performance is superb)

It's so exciting to exchanges my review with you.

Best Regards,

Agnes, HK

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以上三封電郵, 是去年我主動跟一位菲律賓籍網民聯絡的電郵內容. (各位千萬不要挑文法的骨頭, 我很慚愧><)

某一年在石琪的影評專欄上, 知道有一位菲律賓導演名叫Ishmael Bernal(1938-1996). 1997年, 第二十一屆香港國際電影節曾舉辦Ishmael Bernal電影回顧. (去年我在BC的Kubrick圖書館找到當年電影節的場刊, 將有關Ishmael Bernal的文章影印下來)

依稀記得石琪介紹Ishmael Bernal的名作《Himala》(aka Miracle, 神蹟, 1982), 改篇真人真事的震撼故事: 一名少女聲稱見到聖母顯靈, 被追捧成鄉鎮上的活神仙, 卻以悲劇收場告終. 《Himala》大膽抨擊菲律賓的宗教狂熱, 頓成國內外話題作. 《Himala》在1982年的柏林影展上參賽, 女主角Nora Aunor僅以一票之差飲恨銀熊獎!



後來我忘了Ishmael Bernal, 只記得Himala這個關鍵字. Himala, Himala...往後數年, 我不時在電影書籍中找尋《Himala》. 最終在互聯網找回Ishmael Bernal. 很可惜在網上所能找到的資料不算多, 然而Ishmael Bernal應是菲律賓最負盛名的導演. 網上亦有零星網站, 以英文介紹Ishmael Bernal的電影和生平.



Ishmael Bernal的電影產量極多, 通俗或藝術的題材一應俱全, 甚至連 (菲國)超人片和功夫片也拍過. 但他最重要的作品, 均以討論國家社會問題為主. 可是, 除了1997年的電影節外, 又有甚麼渠道可以看到Ishmael Bernal? 我曾經到中環環球大廈的菲律賓影音店瀏覽, 可是我始終不敢開口問菲律賓人: 你們認識Ishmael Bernal嗎? 有看過他的電影嗎? ...

Criterion, Tartan, Bfi, Eureka....別指望發行世界經典電影的影碟機構. 除卻歐美中日韓, 我肯定沒有一間會偏門得到菲律賓找上門. 只好在菲律賓的影碟網站找消息. 可是, 《Himala》根本沒有推出VCD或DVD. 反而Ishmael Bernal另一套被視為菲律賓電影史上最重要的作品之一《City after dark, Manila by Nights》(夜之城, 1980), 竟然罕有地推出影碟.



《City after dark, Manila by Night》題材極度灰暗, 深入觀察80年代馬尼拉的年青世代, 剖析繁華都會背後的墮落真面目. 愛鞋亦愛國的馬可斯夫人艾美黛(Imelda Macos), 為了《City after dark, Manila by Night》的片名, 還抗議過好一陣子. 她認為原名《Manila by Night》抹黑馬尼拉的威名. 影片以《City after dark》妥協示人, 還被逼刪剪部分片段才獲准公映, 但主題的意義還是掩飾不了.

一年前找到《City after dark, Manila by Night》的DVD, 礙於運費太貴而作罷. 近來無聊尋覓, 豈料無心插柳...

訂購《City after dark, Manila by Night》影碟的網址:

http://www.kabayancentral.com/video/others/cpotmbncad.html

《City after dark, Manila by Night》電影簡介 (就是這個網站, 運費昂貴得足夠買多兩張碟!):

http://shop.regalfilms.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=52454