| Manila by Night | |
|---|---|
 Re-release poster for its screening at theManila Film Center in 1985. | |
| Directed by | Ishmael Bernal |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Lily Y. Monteverde |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Augusto Salvador |
| Music by | The Vanishing Tribe |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Regal Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 151 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Languages | |
Manila by Night (initially released asCity After Dark) is a1980Filipino drama film directed byIshmael Bernal from a script by Bernal andRicky Lee, and starsGina Alajar andCharito Solis. Released at the height of theMarcos regime, the film uncovers the other face of Manila by depicting the ugly aspects of life in the city – unemployment, prostitution, drug addiction and lack of decent housing. Considered one of Bernal's masterpieces, it is an epicmulti-narrative of people who have shady pasts and are trying to exist in an unforgiving world.[1]
The film's events take place in the course of several nights, involving various protagonists and the city itself.
Lily Monteverde ofRegal Films approachedIshmael Bernal to direct a large-scale production to commemorate the second anniversary of the production outfit. Bernal had previously directedSalawahan for Monteverde's Regal Films. For the production, Bernal came up with a sequence list, based on different locales, but decided to have the scenes improvised by a cast assembled from Regal Film's stable, as well as industry friends.[2]
The film was restored in 4K resolution by the Philippine Film Archive, the film archives division of theFilm Development Council of the Philippines, and Central Digital Lab as part of the "Save Our Cinema Restoation Program".[3] The restored version was premiered as part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020 exhibition.[4]
The film's original title isManila by Night, but was later renamed toCity After Dark for its initial release. Former first lady Imelda Marcos asked for the title to be changed and that the film be banned for export, believing that the film "maligns her city". The film has since been considered as Ishmael Bernal's masterpiece.[5][6]
| Year | Group | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Picture | Manila by Night | Won |
| Best Actor | Bernardo Bernardo | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Ishmael Bernal | Won | ||
| Best Production Design | Peque Gallaga[7][8] | Won | ||
| Best Director | Ishmael Bernal | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Cherie Gil | Nominated | ||
| Rio Locsin | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Vanishing Tribe | Nominated |
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