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
Ruel Vernal	...	Dado
Nina Lorenzo	...	Ludy
Mely Mallari	...	Sister-in-law
Carpi Asturias	...	Karyas
George Atutubo
Eddie Pagayon
Joe Jardi
Danilo Posadas	...	(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:

revenge | slum | bully | rape | prison | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinemanila

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1978, the movie became the first Filipino feature film to be presented in the Cannes Film Festival (Director's Fortnight).

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Quotes

Tonya: Why are you late? We just finished eating.
Insiang: Mrs. Torres came in late. I had to wait in order to collect my pay.
Tonya: Waited for her or showed yourself off somewhere?

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Connections

Referenced in Ang anak ni Brocka (2005)

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.