Manila by Night

Manila by Night
Manila by Night
	Re-release poster for its screening at the Manila Film Center in 1985.
Directed by	Ishmael Bernal
Written by	Ishmael Bernal; Ricardo Lee;
Produced by	Lily Y. Monteverde
Starring	Charito Solis
Cinematography	Ely Cruz; Sergio Lobo;
Edited by	Augusto Salvador
Music by	The Vanishing Tribe
Production; company	Regal Films
Distributed by	Regal Films
Release date	November 28, 1980;
Running time	150 minutes
Country	Philippines
Languages	Filipino; English;

Manila by Night, also known as City After Dark, is a 1980 Filipino film directed by Ishmael Bernal and starring Gina Alajar and Charito Solis. Released at the height of the Marcos 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 as one of Bernal's masterpieces,^{[citation needed]} it is an epic multi-narrative of people who have shady pasts and are trying to exist in an unforgiving world.

Synopsis

The film's events take place in the course of several nights, involving various protagonists and the city itself.

Cast

Charito Solis as Virgie
Alma Moreno as Adelina
Cherie Gil as Kano
Rio Locsin as Bea
Lorna Tolentino as Baby
Gina Alajar as Vanessa
Orestes Ojeda as Pebrero
Bernardo Bernardo as Manay Sharon
William Martinez as Alex
Johnny Wilson
Anton Juan
Charmie Benavidez
Cris Vertido
Ernie Zarate

Reception

Critical response

The movie's original title is Manila by Night, but was later renamed to City After Dark. Former first lady Imelda Marcos asked it to be changed and banned for export. Marcos believes that the movie "maligns her city". The said movie was Ishmael Bernal's masterpiece. The characters are unique and realistic. The whole movie celebrates the night life in the streets of Manila, with the characters revolving around hookers, bisexuals, dope addicts and criminals.^[1]^[2]

References

^ "Manila by Night". Time Out London.
^ "CITY AFTER DARK (MANILA BY NIGHT) (1980)". Rotten Tomatoes.

External links

City After Dark at IMDb
City After Dark at Rotten Tomatoes

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[1] "Manila by Night". Time Out London.

[2] "CITY AFTER DARK (MANILA BY NIGHT) (1980)". Rotten Tomatoes.

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