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Our tribute to Filipino cinema proved a great idea, since we managed to discover a truly underrated and very rarely mentioned part of international cinema, with the 70s and 80 in the Philippines in particular offering a series of movies that could easily be described as masterpieces. In contrary to European or even American films, the rather intriguing aspect of these films is that they manage to combine intense social commentary with mainstream and occasionally even horror and exploitation elements, thus results in a series of titles that could have universal appear, also because they are also quite artful.

Without further ado, here are 13 of the titles that truly stood out.

1. Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) by Lino Brocka

The main element of Lino Brocka’s narrative is, evidently, realism, with him implementing a documentary-like approach to the social circumstances of Manila in the 70’s. In this effort, he benefits...

Kidlat Tahimik counts as one of the most important and influential filmmakers from the Philippines. Similar to his aforementioned colleagues his works deal with the difficult and problematic legacy of colonialism as well as the process of adapting to modernity, in particular, the rise of capitalism and commercialism. His first, and arguably his most famous feature “Perfumed Nightmare” already set the groundwork for these themes, earning him not only critical praise but also international acclaim, such as awards at the Berlin Film Festival. However, in the light of recent developments such as gentrification, “Perfumed Nightmare” has become more relevant than ever, as its satirical approach highlights the pitfalls behind a rapidly growing economy and a form of globalization growing detached from the cultural roots of a nation.

“Perfumed Nightmare” is streaming on Mubi

Throughout the feature, Tahimik follows a semi-documentary approach telling the story of his life and eventual disillusionment,...

In 2018, Kidlat Tahimik (which means “quiet lightning” in Tagalog) was honored with the order of the National Artist of the Philippines in Film, the highest state’s award for artists. Now his best-known work, “Perfumed Nightmare,” comes back to Berlin Festival, 42 years after receiving International Critics Award there. Upon its release, critics saw it as a breath of fresh air and it was considered a pioneering work of Filipino independent cinema. Some film historians associated it with the rebellious Third Cinema movement. Sincere yet conceptual in its formal jugglery, stunning with eccentric aesthetics, it was the distinctive manifesto of a budding director. With passing time, the film, proclaimed by Werner Herzog as one of the most original and poetic works of cinema made anywhere in the seventies, hasn’t lost its rough charm and ability to mesmerize international audiences. Also, because of the heyday of the post-colonial discourse and growing...

Since any New York City cinephile has a nearly suffocating wealth of theatrical options, we figured it’d be best to compile some of the more worthwhile repertory showings into one handy list. Displayed below are a few of the city’s most reliable theaters and links to screenings of their weekend offerings — films you’re not likely to see in a theater again anytime soon, and many of which are, also, on 35mm. If you have a chance to attend any of these, we’re of the mind that it’s time extremely well-spent.

Film Society of Lincoln Center

If you’re emotionally prepared, the massive 62-film series “Emotion Pictures: International Melodrama” has begun featuring In the Mood for Love, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Letter from an Unknown Woman, The Housemaid, and more this weekend.

Museum of Modern Art

An all-inclusive Michelangelo Antonioni retrospective is still underway.

Metrograph

“Goth...

We at Mubi think that celebrating the films of 2010 should be a celebration of film viewing in 2010. Since all film and video is "old" one way or another, we present Out of a Past, a small (re-) collection of some of our favorite of 2010's retrospective viewings.

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This is a list of older movies I saw for the first time in 2010—not necessarily the best, but the ones that gave me the greatest sense of discovery. It’s a sad commentary on contemporary film culture that only five of the twelve films I mention are available on Netflix.

Routine Pleasures (Jean-Pierre Gorin, USA, 1986)

An essay film from the Godard’s former collaborator during his leftist Dziga Vertov Group days. The movie begins as a documentary about a group of model train enthusiasts in San Diego who have constructed an elaborate imaginary world with enormous and minutely detailed landscapes and a...