Maynila sa mga pangil ng dilim

MAYNILA SA MGA PANGIL NG DILIM is a fascinating and daring homage, rewriting and deconstruction of Lino Brocka's Manila in the Claws of Light (1975), in which a man - played in both films by the same actor, Bembol Roco - tries to save a woman he imagines as pure innocence from all evil. In an excessive and intoxicating flood of images and sounds, the camera follows Kontra Madiaga through Manila, while his inner monologue testifies to his hatred of God and the world, as well as of himself. The hope of bringing the story to a better conclusion in a second attempt is not fulfilled: "Maybe our story will change if Manila changes, but no matter how many evil people I kill, Manila never changes," is the protagonist's bitter conclusion. (al)