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| Bagong Hari |
Bagong Hari (Cineventures, Inc.) is the picture by which all other films of 1986 is measured. The film is director Mario O'Hara's best work showcasing a very exciting performance by Dan Alvaro. Blessed with a good physique and strong features, his characterization of Addon, the cunning street fighter caught in a political power struggle, is memorable for its raw power. He is competent in scenes that call for bone breaking fist fights as well as scenes that require toned down emotions. Underneath a cool exterior, the sheer energy expelled by Alvaro in the film's vicious fight scenes takes the notion of acting with sincere cruelty to a new ecstatic high. In Bagong Hari, Addon becomes the symbol of social rage. He is an angry young man fighting for survival in a community that lives by the gun, where power bestows the privilege of abuse on a select few. In Addon's chaotic world, the police are no longer friends but foes in the service of corrupt officials. Addon is introduced as a dilligent riverboat worker with simple pleasures except for Isagani Labrador (Robert Arevalo), his politically well-connected father. Addon's world revolves pretty much around his environment in the slums. When his mother (Perla Bautista) falls ill, the need for money to settle a huge hospital bill forces him into a a criminal mission that puts him at odds with the towns political kingpins. Because of his skill at weapons, he is admired by the powers that be. In the process, his combat achievements earn the wrath of the Governor Nenuca Lailess' (Elvira Manahan) murderous son, Rex (Joel Torre). Suddenly, he finds himself a pawn in the fight between two warring parties for the governor's office. At one point he is forced to shoot his father, who had been branded as an opportunist by the enemy camp. To cover up the crime, Addon is ordered salvaged but the plan fails. Addon escapes eventually destroying his opponents by fist, gun and knife.
Director Mario O'Hara and screenwriter Frank Rivera have created a fresh character who has neither the wealth nor the influence to assert social control but who has the ability to define his terms against those who trample his domain. Bagong Hari is difficult not to like. It has some of the most haunting images in recent movie memory. One of the film's most striking compositions shows Addon burying his mother by the roadside, owing to their poor state. As he digs a hole in the ground, the camera shows the city lights glittering like gems in the distance. This particular image is one of the film's most interesting allusions to the idea of the city as agent of seduction and death, the city lures people on the promise of financial gain only to leave them in poverty and despair. The use of such expressive images is the key to the film's effectivity. Mario O'Hara's direction is outstanding. His clever use of environment, particularly the riverbank dwellings and the ice factroy which he turns into a visual maze is highly effective in creating feelings of fear and suspense. For sheer visual excitement, Bagong Hari is hard to match. One gets the impression that both Condemned and Bulaklak Sa City Jail, two O'Hara pictures from 1984 were just sketches in preparation for this thriller. The cinematography by brothers Johnny and Romulo Araojo is superb. Antonio Aguilar's music is imaginatively absorbing and the film's editing is just brilliant. To pass judgement on Bagong Hari for the sheer aspect of its violence is unfortunate. Considering its unique qualities and taking its story and direction as a whole, the film merits serious consideration even from the most discriminating Filipino moviegoer.
Directed By: Mario O'Hara
Screenplay By: Frank G. Rivera
Directors Of Photography: Johnny Araojo And Romulo Araojo
Musical Score: Antonio Vidal Aguilar
Film Editor: Efren Jarlego
Production Design: Frank G. Rivera
Produced By: Cineventures, Inc.
Release Date: January 10, 1986
SOFIA (The Society Of Filipino Archivists For Film) will be screening Mario O'Hara's BAGONG HARI on Saturday March 12th at 2pm at the Cultural Center Of The Philippines' Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Admission is free!
Release Date: January 10, 1986
SOFIA (The Society Of Filipino Archivists For Film) will be screening Mario O'Hara's BAGONG HARI on Saturday March 12th at 2pm at the Cultural Center Of The Philippines' Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Admission is free!
11:42 AM
Very interesting review Jojo! Can't say much, I haven't seen the film hehe...
1:50 PM
Hi Jojo,
A great film indeed! BTW is this a repost?
Regards,
RSE
3:20 PM
Thanks so much Dennis!
Bagong Hari is definitely one of Mario O'Hara's best films. Most critics consider this as part of his Manila trilogy. Thankfully, a video copy was found and for the first time since it was released in 1986, film enthusiasts will get the rare chance to watch this excellent action drama...
3:23 PM
Hello Ron!
I reposted this review of Bagong Hari to help promote this Saturday's SOFIA screening at the CCP. Hopefully, more people will come and watch this great film...
5:30 AM
Thanks for the insights Jojo!Hopefully, films like this will be more accessible din in terms of venue.
6:22 AM
I'm hope so too Dennis. Problem is the availability of copies and asking permission from the films' producers. If they were only cooperative it won't be much of a problem to screen these films...
1:31 AM
Watching this film at the CCP last time was a nostalgia trip from the Marcos era with its socio-political themed. Celso Ad Castillo, Robert Arevalo, Perla Bautista and the late Elvira Manahan were all stand out.
2:27 AM
How was he quality of the U-Matic transfer, Ronalld? I heard the screening was a success. Bagong Hari is definitely one of O'Hara's best films and the cast is absolutely fantastic! I've never seen Joel Torre as cunning than in any other film where he played a villain role...
9:06 PM
Even Joel Lamangan also stood out, haha! And yes I agree with you, Joel Torre was convincing as a villain. Did he already use his voice for this film? The umatic transfer was excellent. What's missing was the Cineventures logo from the opening scene and just a few seconds scenes from the ending which are both Marti tucked in.
2:28 AM
Joel Torre used his own voice in the film. I believe he started dubbing his own lines in 1985 and Bagong Hari was released a year later. It's great to know that the U-Matic copy is in excellent condition... Maraming salamat Ronald!