A groom takes his city bride to his hometown to settle in his father's house. Struck by her uncanny resemblance to his dead wife, the patriarch is driven to lust after his daughter-in-law. When things come to a head, a violent family quarrel ensues and leads to tragedy. A middle-aged spinster recounts the tale to reveal her identity and trace the downfall of the landowning clan trapped in the past.
Charito Solis narrates this haunting tale set in the 1930s, about a clan dominated by a ruthless patriarch (Silayan) and beleaguered by the oppressive treatment of women of over four generations. Commenting on feminist concerns (an emerging theme in Lee-Abaya collaborations) and the imprisoning constraints of social mores and superstition, Karnal can nonetheless be appreciated as an atmospheric, riveting piece of filmmaking. (UPshots 2: Rate R, February 1997)
One of the Ten Best Films of the Decade, URIAN (1980-1989); Best Director, Film Academy of the Philippines and FAMAS (1983); Best Supporting Actress (Solis), Film Academy of the Philippines (1983); Rated "A" by the MTRCB.
Direction: Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Screenplay: Ricardo Lee
Cinematography: Manolo Abaya
Editing: Marc Tarnate
Sound: Rudy Baldovino
Production Design: Fiel Zabat
Music: Ryan Cayabyab
Executive Producer: Ben Yalung
Cast:
Phillip Salvador
Vic Silayan
Cecille Castillo
Joel Torre
Charito Solis
Grace Amilbangsa
Crispin Medina
Joonee Gamboa
Rolando Tinio
Ella Luansing
Rustica Carpio
Vangie Labalan
Viewers comments
