Lino Brocka’s restored classic ‘Jaguar’ opens Sinag Maynila 2025

Sinag Maynila rolls out its seventh edition today, Sept. 23, at Gateway Cinema 5, with the Asian premiere of the newly restored 4K version of Lino Brocka’s 1979 neo-noir masterpiece “Jaguar.”

This marks the Philippine homecoming of “Jaguar” following its international debut at the 16th Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, France late last year.

The restored print is the result of a collaboration between the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) Philippine Film Archive (PFA) and Cité de Mémoire.

Original crew and cast members are expected to grace the opening night, which culminates with a talkback session after the screening.

Festival founder Wilson Tieng stressed the importance of choosing the late National Artist’s work to kick off the week-long filmfest.

“Its selection as the opening film for Sinag Maynila 2025 highlights the importance of film preservation, connecting the past with the future of Philippine cinema,” he told The STAR.

“As a producer of Filipino films for over 44 years and as a fan of Filipino cinema, it truly brings back many fond memories seeing classics back on the big screen.”

Released over four decades ago, “Jaguar” made history as the first-ever Filipino film to be in contention for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival in 1980.

Inspired by a story from Nick Joaquin’s non-fiction collection Reportage on Crime, the screenplay was penned by Jose “Pete” Lacaba and National Artist Ricky Lee.

The 1978 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture winner ‘Atsay,’ directed by Eddie Garcia and headlined by National Artist for Film Nora Aunor, will also be part of this year’s Sinag Maynila.

Phillip Salvador topills “Jaguar” as Poldo, a security guard drawn into a world of danger and crime after taking on the job of protecting the son of a rich family. Amy Austria plays his love interest in the film.

The screening of “Jaguar” forms part of the Philippine Film Industry Month celebration this September, under the Pambansang Alagad ng Sining section, which highlights restored works of National Artists.

Alongside Brocka’s “Jaguar,” audiences will get to experience the restored version of the 1978 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture winner “Atsay,” directed by Eddie Garcia and headlined by National Artist for Film Nora Aunor. The movie was given a new life in 2022 via the FDCP’s Film Restoration Program.

On the inclusion of this section, Tieng was cited in a media release: “As we give a spotlight to the Sinag Maynila finalists, Filipino filmmakers who are either first-timers, veterans, amateurs or professionals, we also highlight the important works of our National Artists.

“And we thank the Film Development Council of the Philippines for their effort to restore and preserve these masterpieces, which allows moviegoers to see these films in all their splendor and glory, as (they were) meant to be seen — sa pinilakang tabing,” he added.

Meanwhile, this year’s festival picked five full-length films from over 300 entries for competition, with themes exploring faith, grief, justice and hope on screen.

As per Sinag Maynila’s primer, the line-up includes “Altar Boy,” directed by Serville Poblete and starring Mark Bacolcol, Shai Barcia and Pablo S.J. Quiogue. It follows a timid teenager struggling to reconcile his strict religious upbringing with his desire to define himself beyond it.

“Candé” is directed by Kevin Pison Piamonte and headlined by JC Santos and Sunshine Teodoro. It tells about a US-based Filipino chef who returns home for a funeral and is forced to confront a tragic past.

From more than 300 entries, this year’s festival has selected five full-length films for competition with themes and stories exploring faith, grief, justice and hope on screen.

“(The story) was born out of the fun times during a fiesta, the friendships formed through that, and friendships ruined also because of that. It’s also about healing and forgiveness,” said Piamonte.

“Jeongbu” is directed by Topel Lee and topbilled by Aljur Abrenica, Ritz Azul and Empress Schuck. This supernatural tale about obsession shows how an evil entity disrupts a man’s marriage.

“Jeongbu means third eye in Korean. Meron kasi siyang character na Korean who has a third eye. The story revolves around this family who travels to Baguio and eventually, they encounter paranormal beings,” said Lee.

“Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa (The Teacher)” is directed by Joel Lamangan and starring Rita Daniela, Jak Roberto and Albie Casiño. A new teacher tries to revive love for education in a remote village still scarred by violence.

“This is about a teacher, who goes to a town where kids no longer want to go to school, after an encounter between the rebels and military that resulted in a student’s death… and how she woos the parents to have their kids continue with their schooling,” said Lamangan.

“Selda Tres (Cell Number 3),” on the other hand, is directed by GB Sampedro and features Carla Abellana, JM de Guzman and Cesar Montano in the lead cast. After a wrongful imprisonment, a messenger-turned-paralegal helps his cellmates fight for justice.

“It’s a story about mistaken identity. It’s a courtroom drama  na may konting action, may konting comedy,” said Sampedro.

Aside from the full-length feature competition, Sinag Maynila 2025 will also showcase 15 documentaries, 41 short films and 36 student films, totaling 61 films across all categories.

Festival director is Cannes-winning Best Director Brillante Mendoza.

Sinag Maynila officially runs from tomorrow, Sept. 24, until Sept. 30 in partner venues, including SM Mall of Asia, SM Fairview, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, Trinoma, Market! Market!, and Gateway Cineplex. Tickets are priced at P250 per screening.

For the complete screening schedules and updates, check out Sinag Maynila’s Facebook page.