As a known street parliamentarian, Brocka directs anew a film that presents the prevailing situation of the nineties. Jonathan, an ambitious young man gets trapped in the dirty world of power-hungry politicians and social leeches. Believing that the only way to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot is to hang around with the rich and the powerful, Jonathan discovers the real view from the top - an ugly picture of the dirt affairs, the crime and corruption committed by these posing politicians.
A young man (Paule) who falls in love with the mistress (Bonnevie) of a corrupt mayor (Garcia) becomes witness to all the lust, greed, and deception of Philippine politics. This thinly-veiled commentary on the Marcos regime (most tellingly indicated by Santos-Concio's Imeldific turn as the mayor's wife) was one of Lee's and Brocka's most unabashedly political efforts, a still shining example of what sets artistry apart from politics: artistry never loses sight of the human dimension. Though it deals with a subject of monolithic proportions, Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak is full of very human characters embroiled in very human situations. (UPshots 2: Rater R, February 1997)
Best Screenplay, URIAN (1990); Best Picture, Film Academy of the Philippines (1990); Best Director, Film Academy of the Philippines, FAMAS and Star Awards (1990); Best Musical Score, Film Academy of the Philippines and Star Awards (1990)
Direction: Lino O. Brocka
Story/Screenplay: Ricardo Lee
Cinematography: Pedro Manding, Jr.
Editing: George Jarlego
Production Design: Benjie de Guzman
Sound: Rolly Ruta
Music: Nonong Buencamino
Executive Producer: Vic del Rosario
Cast:
Dina Bonnevie
Christopher de Leon
Allan Paule
Eddie Garcia
Charo Santos
Bembol Roco
Perla Bautista
Ernie Zarate
Anita Linda
William Lorenzo
Francis Magalona
Timothy Diwa
Viewers' comments
