Brutal (film)

Brutal
Directed byMarilou Diaz-Abaya
Written byRicky Lee
Produced byJesse Ejercito
Starring
CinematographyManolo R. Abaya
Edited by
  • Manolo R. Abaya
  • Marc Tarnate
Music byGeorge Canseco
Production
company
Bancom Audiovision
Distributed byBancom Audiovision
Release date
  • December 25, 1980 (1980-12-25)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Brutal is a 1980 Filipino drama film directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya from a story and screenplay written by Ricky Lee.

It was the first major Filipino film to tackle rape as a feminist issue.[1] Brutal was followed by Moral (1982) and Karnal (1983), a loose trilogy of feminist films directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and written by Ricky Lee.

Plot

Housewife Monica Real is arrested for killing three men, including her husband, Tato. Clara Valdez is a journalist searching for the truth about why Monica was driven to kill them and remain silent by refusing to speak to her family and her lawyer. With the help of her boyfriend, Jake, Clara seeks information from Monica's best friend, Cynthia, and Monica's mother to find answers.

Cast

  • Amy Austria as Monica Real, an 18-year-old woman who murdered her husband and his three friends
  • Gina Alajar as Cynthia, Monica's best friend
  • Charo Santos as Clara Valdez, a journalist who is interested in knowing the truth about the murder case
  • Jay Ilagan as Tato, Monica's husband
  • Perla Bautista as Aling Charing, Monica's mother
  • Joonee Gamboa as Defense Attorney
  • Johnny Delgado as Jake
  • Nello Nayo as Mang Juaning, Monica's father
  • Roberto Tongco as Choreographer
  • Boy Sabiniano as Eric
  • Ogie Martinez as Ogie
  • Jun Villena as Jimmy

Production

After the success of her directorial debut Tanikala (1980), Marilou Diaz-Abaya was approached by producer Jesse Ejercito to direct a film for him starring Amy Austria, who had recently distinguished herself in the 1979 Lina Brocka film Jaguar.[2]

Reception

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
1980 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Film Brutal Nominated
Best Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya Won
Best Actress Amy Austria Won
1981 FAMAS Awards Best Picture Brutal Nominated
Best Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya Nominated
Best Actor Jay Ilagan Nominated
Best Actress Amy Austria Won
Best Supporting Actress Gina Alajar Nominated
Gawad Urian Awards Best Picture (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula) Brutal Nominated
Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Marilou Diaz-Abaya Nominated
Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor) Johnny Delgado Nominated
Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres) Amy Austria Nominated
Gina Alajar Won
Best Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor) Johnny Delgado Nominated
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) Ricky Lee Nominated
Best Editing (Pinakamahusay na Editing) Manalo Abaya, Marc Tanarte Nominated
Best Sound (Pinakamahusay na Tunog) Amang Sanchez, Rolly Ruta Nominated

References

  1. ^ Pareja, Lena (1994). "Brutal". Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.
  2. ^ Quito, Gil (July 23, 2013). "MARILOU DIAZ-ABAYA, OBSESSIONS AND TRANSITIONS: A Biographical Survey". Asian CineVision.