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This Is My Country (film)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox film
| name = This Is My Country
| image = Bayan Ko Gusto ng Patatim.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Lino Brocka
| producer = Vra Belmont
| writer = Jose F. Lacaba
| based_on =
| starring = Phillip Salvador
| music = Jess Santiago
| cinematography = Conrado Baltazar
| editing =
| studio =
| released =
| runtime = 108 minutes
| country = Philippines
| language = Filipino
}}
'This Is My Country' is a 1984 Filipino drama film that is directed by Lino Brocka. The film was a part of the main competition at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. It was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 58th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Plot
Arturo "Turing" Manalastas (Phillip Salvador) together with his wife, Luz (Gina Alajar), works in a printing press. Turing was later forced to ask for a raise from his boss after his wife became pregnant. Turing's boss asked him to sign a waiver that he is not a member of any labor union. Shortly after, his friends invited him to be part of a labor union that they are planning to form but Turing has no option but to refuse due to his waiver. Turing was badly treated and was called a traitor after refusing to join. The printing press later closed and Luz is unable to get discharged from the hospital where she is confined due to pending fees. Turing needs money to pay the hospital bill so Luz can finally get out from the hospital and turns to crime to acquire the money he needs.
Cast
* Phillip Salvador as Arturo "Turing" Manalastas
* Gina Alajar as Luz Manalastas
* Carmi Martin as Carla
* Claudia Zobel as Dhalie
* Raoul Aragon as Lando
* Paquito Diaz as Hugo
* Rez Cortez as Boy Echas
* Lorli Villanueva as Mrs. Lim
* Ariosto Reyes Jr. as Willie
* Mona Lisa
* Lucita Soriano
* Venchito Galvez
* Bey Vito
* Nomer Son as Mr. Lim
* Joe Taruc as Himself
Naming
The native name of the film '"Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim"' was derived from 'Bayan Ko', a protest song and '"Kapit sa Patalim"' (Gripping unto a Blade) came from the Filipino saying '"Ang taong nagigipit, kahit sa patalim kumakapit"' (A desperate person will even grip unto a blade).
Release
The film included actual footage of demonstration which censors did not let the film to be screened in the Philippines. Director Lino Brocka appealed the Supreme Court to let the film be screened in the country. After about a year after it screening at the Cannes Film Festival, it was screened in the Philippines in November 1985.
See also
* 'Jaguar'
* 'Orapronobis'
References
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