The Philippines, docu-drama-essay film fusion, 16mm, 95min, 1977. Original title: Mababangong Bangungot. Dir: Kidlat Tahimik. Chugoku-region Premiere! Kidlat in person & guest talk on 8/21 Sunday evening !!
<from Harvard Film Archive> “With his first film, the former Eric de Guia not only debuted his nom du cinéma, Kidlat Tahimik (meaning ‘quiet lightning’ in Tagalog), but also its onscreen incarnation, a character that would become as inseparable from the filmmaker himself as Chaplin’s Little Tramp. And like the Tramp, Tahimik presents himself as a naïf, the better to draw audiences into his autobiographical journey of de-colonization. Seamlessly blending fiction, autobiography, history and ethnography, the film begins as a self-portrait of Tahimik, his family and friends, and his hometown. When Kidlat realizes a lifelong dream to visit Europe, the disillusioning experience causes him to revisit his idealization of Western culture and technology. This political awakening is told with both gentle humor and burning fervor. As a result, The Perfumed Nightmare has become not only a founding text of “third cinema” and a classic of the surrealist counter-ethnographic genre; it’s also justly recognized as one of the finest essay films ever made.”
Kidlat’s new feature film is being premiered at Aichi Triennale this summer and will have a theatrical run throughout Japan in the fall. We are honored to have the ever-so-lovable Kidlat in person as a special guest at UPAF! Don’t miss it!
This special 16mm screening is made possible by generous support from Kazuyuki Yano of Cinematrix.
Notes for young audiences: There are no violence nor sex scenes in this film except circumcision sequence on boys and a brief scene suggesting a child birth. Other than that, recommended for all ages as long as they understand English (the original language) or read Japanese subtitle.
Bio:
Mr. Kidlat Tahimik has made a great contribution to global film culture as one of the pioneering independent filmmakers in Asia. Besides directing, he is involved in script-writing, shooting, editing and acting. His works have won international acclaim for the unique sense of humour with which he presents the Filipino qualities of proud consciousness as developing nation, and resistance to cultural imperialism. (from Fukuoka Prize 2012 presskit)
Filmography:
Director
Mababangong bangungot [“Perfumed Nightmare”] (1977)
Turumba (1981)
Sinong lumikha ng yoyo? Sinong lumikha ng moon buggy? (1982)
Orbit 50: Letters to My 3 Sons (1992)
Why is Yellow Middle of Rainbow? (1994, also known as I am Furious Yellow)
Japanese Summers of a Filipino Fundoshi (1996)
Our Film – Grimage to Guimaras (2006)
BUBONG! (Roofs of the World! UNITE!) (2006)
Memories of Overdevelopment 1980–2010 (1980–2010)
Balikbayan #1 Memories of Overdevelopment Redux III (2015)
Actor
Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle (Every Man for Himself and God Against All) (1974)
Mababangong bangungot [“Perfumed Nightmare”] (1977)
Jag rodnar [“I Am Blushing”] (1981)
Smaragd (1987)
José_Rizal (1998)
Abong: Small Home (2003)
Awards:
Berlin Film Festival International Critics Award: Perfumed Nightmare (1977)
Mannheim Film Festival Top Cash Award: Turumba (1981)
Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize Laureate, Arts and Culture Prize (2012)
Berlin Film Festival Caligari Award: Balikbayan #1 Memories of Overdevelopment Redux III (2015)