Lino Brocka is one of the most important directors to ever emerge from South East Asia. Much of his work has for a long time been unavailable, but thanks to Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project, two of his best, Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) and Insiang (1976) can now be seen, released as part of this limited edition 4-disc collection.
Manila in the Claws of Light
A fascinating portrait of life in Manila’s corrupt, teeming and polluted urban jungle, Manila in the Claws of Light tells the story of Julio, a 21-year-old fisherman who arrives in the Filipino capital looking for his girlfriend. Immediately robbed of what little cash he has, he scrabbles to survive, drifting through a number of temporary jobs, while wandering the city in search of his beloved.
Insiang
After she is raped by her mother’s boyfriend Dado, Insiang flees her home, seeking comfort in the arms of her would-be boyfriend, Bebot. Finding him to be little better than her attacker, she is forced to return home where she turns the situation upon itself and exacts her revenge.
Extras
New 4K restorations of both films
Manila... A Filipino Film (Mike de Leon, 1975, 23 mins): fascinating making-of documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
Manila stills and collections gallery
Visions Cinema: Film in the Philippines (Ron Orders, 1983, 40 mins): Tony Rayns interviews Lino Brocka and other prominent Filipino directors
Signed: Lino Brocka (Christian Blackwood, 1987, 84 mins): award-winning, feature-length documentary exploring the director’s life and work
The Guardian Lecture: Lino Brocka in conversation with Tony Rayns (1982, 62 mins, audio only)
Illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Cathy Landicho Clark, an interview with Lino Brocka from 1980, and full film credits
