A woman who killed her husband and two other men in a Manila apartment becomes the newest media sensation. In a post-traumatic shock, she refuses to communicate with anyone. A journalist with feminist ideals is drawn to the case and vows to uncover the truth behind the triple murder. She is unfazed by the silence of the accused and seeks out others who may be able to shed light on the gruesome incident.
If the oppression of the feminist ideal is a hallmark of Lee-Abaya films, then the oppression in Brutal is quite literal; a young battered housewife (Austria) kills her husband and his friends in retaliation for the abuse they inflicted on her, then refuses to talk as a silent protest of her suffering. Her silence prods a female journalist (Santos) to investigate the case and the people around the housewife (including a prostitute, played by Alajar), which eventually forces her to confront some unsavory truths about her own life and feminity. (UPshots 2: Rated R, February 1997)
Best Picture, Metro Manila Film Festival (1980); Best Actress (Austria), Metro Manila Film Festival and FAMAS (1980); Best Supporting Actor (Ilagan), Metro Manila Film Festival (1980); Best Supporting Actress (Alajar), Metro Manila Film Festival (1980); Best Director, Metro Manila Film Festival (1980); Best Film Editing, Metro Manila Film Festival (1980); Best Actress (Alajar), URIAN (1980)
Direction: Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Screenplay: Ricardo Lee
Cinematography and Editing: Manolo Abaya
Sound: Amang Sanchez
Production Design: Don Escudero
Music: George Canseco
Cast:
Amy Austria
Gina Alajar
Charo Santos
Jay Ilagan
Johnny Delgado
Perla Bautista
Joonee Gamboa
Nello Nayo
Robert Tongko
Boy Sabiniano
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