FILM IN THE PHILIPPINE

REPUBLIC I (1946-1972)
JESSA MAE SARGENTO

MAINSTREAM FILM 1950S

1950s were considered a time of rebuilding and growth
Studio system: Big Four
Sampaguita Pictures
LVN Pictures
Premiere Productions
Lebran International

Had its own set of stars, technicians, and directors

All lined up for a sequence of movie after movie every year
therefore maintaining a monopoly of the industry

MAINSTREAM FILM 1950S

Golden Age of Philippine Cinema
Not because of improved film content, but because
of artistic breakthrough of cinematic techniques
In 1952, the FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie
Arts and Sciences) were first handed out

MAINSTREAM FILM 1950S

Filipino films started garnering award in international film
festivals:
Manuel Condes Genghis Khan 1952

Philippines became a major filmmaking center in Asia

MAINSTREAM FILM 1960S

In 1960s, there was a time of decline
rampant commercialism and artistic decline

foreign action films took over the industry - violence and soft
core sex films
Italian spaghetti Western
American James Bond-type thrillers
Chinese/Japanese martial arts
European sex melodramas

MAINSTREAM FILM 1960S

To get an audience to watch their films, (the independent)
producers had to take their cue from these imports.
Filipino samurai and kung fu masters

Filipino James Bonds

the bomba queen

MAINSTREAM FILM 1960S

The studio systems came under siege from the growing labor
movement

Studios closed down (Lebran Premiere Productions LVN )

The Big Four studios were replaced by new and
independent producers, such as:
Regal Films by Lily Monteverde in 1962

MAINSTREAM FILM 1960S

The decade also saw the emergence of youth revolt
wanting to rebel against adult institutions and establishments
Best represented by the Beatles and rock & roll revolution

teen love team pairings

Guy and Pip

Vi and Bot

MAINSTREAM FILM 1960S

Another kind of youth revolt came in
the form of the child star
Roberta (1951)
In the 60s this seemed to imply
rejection of adult corruption as
exposed by childhood innocence.

MAINSTREAM FILM 1960S

Even in the period of decline, several Philippine films stood
out
Gerardo de Leons Noli Me Tangere (Touch me Not, 1961) and El

Felibusterismo (Subversion, 1962)

action, drama, comedy, fantasy, musical

ALTERNATIVE FILM
A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1965)
Lamberto Avellana; play by Nick Joaquin
A story that explores family conflict between 2 sisters and
their painter father before the World War 2, in Intramuros,
Old Manila.

La campana de Baler (1961)

Baler Catholic Church
Lamberto Avellana

INTERNATIONAL FILM
HOLLYWOOD
Western cowboy, James Bond films

HONGKONG
Samurai, kung fu, martial arts films as mentioned before