Insiang (1976)

The life of a young girl living with her mother in the slums of Manila becomes unbearable when her mother's young boyfriend moves in with them.

Director:

Lino Brocka

Writers:

Mario O'Hara (story), Mario O'Hara (screenplay)

Stars:

Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Rez Cortez

7 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hilda Koronel	...	Insiang
Mona Lisa	...	Tonya
Rez Cortez	...	Bebot
Marlon Ramirez	...	Nanding Karyas
Ruel Vernal	...	Dado
Nina Lorenzo	...	Ludy Karyas
Mely Mallari	...	Tonya's Sister-in-law
Carpi Asturias	...	Mr. Karyas
George Atutubo
Eddie Pagayon	...	Bebot's friend
Joe Jardi	...	Bebot's friend
Danilo Posadas	...	Dado's friend (as Danny Posadas)
Estrella Antonio
Jimmy Calaguas
Belen Chikote	...	(as Belen Chicote)

Storyline

Trapped in the slums, Insiang finds living with her disapproving, sharp-tongued mother, Tonya, trying. Tonya, having long ago been abandoned by her husband, takes her bitterness out on those around her. In a fit of anger, she finally throws out her husband's relatives who have been living with her, but it's not for the sake of their not bringing in money anymore, which it seems on the surface. She's making way for her boyfriend, Dado, to move in. Dado, the town bully, is young enough to be her son, and this new living situation becomes the talk of the town. It isn't long before he forces himself upon Insiang. Tonya is at first outraged but soon takes Dado's side and blames her daughter for her own rape. Insiang leaves home to seek support and solace from her ardent would-be boyfriend Bebot, but he proves to be another Lothario as well. Forced to return home, Insiang turns this inescapable situation upon itself to exact revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

rape and revenge | revenge | rape | character name as title | forename as title | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film underwent an extensive 4K restoration in 2015 from the original camera and sound negatives by The World Cinema Project at the L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, with color grading supervised by Pierre Rissient. Assistance was provided by Martin Scorsese's The Film Foundation.

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Quotes

Dado: [justifying his rape] Yes, I admit it's my fault, but it's also your daughter's fault. You know what she does when you're not around? She bathes naked and lies nude in bed! I'm just a man, Tonya. Who'll not be seduced? What do you think of me - impotent?

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Connections

Spun-off from Hilda (1974)

User Reviews

Best Brocka film ever

Forget the rest! Hilda Koronel's magnificent performance as the title character is enough to recommend this tale of rape and revenge, seduction and squalor, power and poverty. Hilda lives in a slum in Manila, maltreated by her domineering mother (Mona Lisa). Her mother has a lover (Ruel Vernal) old enough to be her son. Vernal, doing the lover bit because Lisa holds the household money, has his eyes set on Insiang. He rapes her but Insiang turns things around, getting Vernal to be her parasitic paramour. Great film noir, great performances.

Details

Official Sites:

Insiang (1976)

Country:

Philippines

Language:

Filipino Tagalog English

Release Date:

6 December 1978 (France)

Also Known As:

Az anya, a lány és a szerető

Filming Locations:

Tondo, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinemanila

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1