Tagalog Word of the Day: LUMABAN

Dear Readers,

This week’s newsletter focuses on Lino Brocka’s 1976 masterpiece, Insiang—a film that wasn’t just a cinematic achievement but a statement on power, oppression, and resilience during Martial Law.

In 1977, French film curator Pierre Rissient traveled to Manila and discovered a film that would change the course of Philippine cinema: Insiang. Captivated by its unfiltered portrayal of life in Tondo’s slums and its gripping, feminist-driven narrative, Rissient saw something groundbreaking. Recognizing its artistic and social significance, he championed the film’s inclusion in the Directors’ Fortnight at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival, making Insiang the first-ever Filipino film to screen at Cannes.

This wasn’t just a cinematic milestone—it was a political act.

At the time, the Philippines was under Martial Law, where film and media were heavily censored, often serving as propaganda for the Marcos regime. But Lino Brocka defied this system. Instead of glorifying the state, Insiang exposed poverty, gender violence, and the brutal realities of survival in Manila’s slums—a mirror to the very oppression Marcos tried to suppress.

When the film premiered at Cannes in 1978, it shocked and captivated international audiences, proving that Philippine cinema could stand alongside the world’s best. But it wasn’t just the film that made headlines—Hilda Koronel, the 19-year-old lead actress, became an unexpected star. French newspaper France-Soir featured her on their front page, with her photo placed above Farrah Fawcett’s, signaling the film’s global impact.

More than four decades later, Insiang remains a powerful testament to how cinema can challenge the status quo, expose social realities, and redefine a nation’s storytelling on the world stage. In 2015, it was digitally restored and screened once again at Cannes, reaffirming its status as a masterpiece of Philippine and global cinema.

But here’s the question: If Insiang broke barriers in 1978, who’s carrying that torch today?

What’s a Filipino film you believe deserves international attention now? Hit reply and let me know.

Until next week,

Nicole