Bembol Roco Movies
- 2010
- R
Celebrated writer and director John Sayles uses America's occupation of the Philippines at the dawn of the 20th century as an analogy for several more recent political and military blunders in this period drama. It's 1900, and Rafael (Joel Torre) is the leader of a village in the Philippine countryside. Rafael is well respected by the locals for his sense of decency and fair play, and as the United States military takes control of the islands, Lt. Compton (Garret Dillahunt) is eager to work with him in an effort to win over the people. However, since Rafael and Compton don't share a common language, they must use Padre Hidalgo (Yul Vázquez), a local preacher who doesn't trust the American colonizers, as an interpreter, while Compton's commander, Col. Hardacre (Chris Cooper), is openly contemptuous of the Filipinos. Meanwhile, as Rafael tries to maintain a fragile peace for his people, his brother Simon (Ronnie Lazaro) has organized a band of rebels determined to protect their homeland and drive the Americans out, and Rafael finds his loyalties sorely tested. Amigo received its world premiere at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Joel Torre, Garret Dillahunt, (more)
- 2006
A young guide at the picturesque tourist retreat of Donsol becomes enamored with a mysterious beauty in director Adolfo Alix, Jr's scenic entry into the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Daniel is the person who takes adventurous tourists out to sea in order to sail alongside such remarkable creatures as the magnificent whale shark. Upon catching a glimpse of the captivating Theresa, however, the wonders of this turquoise begin to pale in comparison to the beauty that walks on dry land. But as past heartaches and doubts about the future cause this spirited pair to take pause, they each begin to realize that it's the passion of the present that sometimes builds the foundation for true love. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cid Lucero, Angel Aquino, (more)
Manuel Marquez's documentary Tin Tan tells the life story of the beloved Mexican film star who rocketed to fame in his native country soon after the end of WWII. The film shows how the success and decline of the actor's fortunes were intertwined with Mexican cinema as a whole. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carlos Monsivais, Jorge Ayala Blanco, (more)
- 2005
A young woman struggles to live her own life despite the interference of her father in this coming-of-age drama from Philippine filmmaker Auraeus Solito. Daisy (Desiree del Valle) lives in a remote jungle village where her father, Ka Malteng (Bembol Roco) is an elder who performs the ritual circumcisions demanded of adolescent boys. Daisy serves as her father's assistant in this unpleasant chore, and bristles at the prospect that she'll be expected to take over this responsibility some day; the fact her father is a perpetually sullen alcoholic only makes matters worse. Daisy has recently become old enough for young men to court her and ask Ka Malteng for her hand in marriage; however, Daisy's head has been turned by a young woman her age, Botchok (Vanna Garcia), a love that Daisy boldly refuses to keep a secret. Each year, Daisy's village, which is predominantly Catholic, stages an elaborate Passion Play, and this year Nanding (Carlo Aquino) has been cast as Jesus. While Ka Malteng doesn't approve of Nanding (in part because he's refused to be circumcised), as Daisy gets to know him she becomes smitten, and finds herself torn between her attraction to him and her love for Botchok. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Desiree del Valle, Vanna Garcia, (more)
A woman who falls under the sway of a crime boss plots to bring him down after a horrible betrayal in this drama from the Philippines. Azun (Elizabeth Oropesa) is a wife and mother living in a dangerous neighborhood in Manila, where she peddles goods on the street. Azun's husband Roque (Bembol Roco) becomes involved in a burglary that goes awry, leading to a lengthy jail sentence. With few options, and needing safety and support, Azun becomes involved with Timo (Christopher De Leon), leader of a local crime syndicate. But Timo's protection does not extend to Azun's teenage daughter Ada (Angelu De Leon); Timo rapes Ada, then forces her to leave her boyfriend (Jomari Yllana) and start dancing in his strip club. When Azun learns what Timo has done to Ada, she makes plans to get her revenge. Christopher De Leon's performance as Timo earned him Best Actor honors at the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher De Leon, Jomari Yllana, (more)
- 1992
The mayor of Manilla has been carrying on an affair with a formerly famous local movie star for years. He has supported her and her family with public funds. His wife has been aware of the set-up all along, but as long as it didn't threaten her cushy and powerful position at the center of power, she allowed it to continue. However, the mayor is coming up for re-election, and it's becoming clear that his little secret (which everyone who is anyone knows) is about to become public property and may cost him the election. Steps must be taken. At the same time, the fading star, no stranger to the fierce political winds within the movie industry, is attempting to stay afloat somehow. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher De Leon, Dina Bonnevie, (more)
- 1989
- R
In this low-budget political drama, a social activist is finally released from prison after the fall of the Marcos regime in the Philippines. Unfortunately, now the islands are terrorized by ultra-conservative death squads. Fortunately, the activist teams up with a radical priest to stop the vengeful vigilantes. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Phillip Salvador, Dina Bonnevie, (more)
- 1982
- PG
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Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir. Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno, the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton, an Australian wire-service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good, he is brought back to earth by his "conscience," photographer Billy Kwan (played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt, who won an Academy Award for her performance). As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray, Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia, the film was financed by MGM, in the first such American-Australian financial collaboration. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, (more)
