KANI Releasing's release of Bona is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray is Region-free and Blu-ray is Region-A locked.
For more about the 4K restoration, see Bitter Revenge
The following text appears inside the leaflet provided with this release:
Bona was restored in 4K by Cité de Mémoire from the 35mm original camera and sound negative reels.
4K Scanning: Cité de Mémoire
Film handling, image and sound repairs & digital Image Restoration: Regis Desort
Negative scene by scene image scanning & color grading: Isabelle Barrière
CSI Negative sound scanning & digital restoration: L.E. Diapson
Project Management: Denis Garcia
In native 4K, the 4K makeover of Bona can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with Dolby Vision and later spent time with the 1080p presentation of it on the Blu-ray. Please note that the screen captures included with this review are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values. This is by and large a great looking transfer, one with good saturation levels and some nicely rendered fine detail. Reds in particular pop with considerable authority. It gives the film an all-around attractive and stable organic appearance, which is equally convincing in native 4K and 1080p resolutions. Bona features naturalistic colors and a relatively high dynamic range that creates a distinct separation between the subtle shades of browns that dominate the film’s color palette. Many different parts of the film easily convey far better density levels. As a result, virtually all of the darker footage boasts clearer, tighter and ultimately more pleasing visuals with wonderful organic qualities. Various primaries and supporting nuances have vastly improved saturation levels. I think that they are a tad warmer now, but the overall balance is right and there are no distracting anomalies. Also, in native 4K, the color palette is expanded, so there are some new ranges of supporting nuances, many of which help the darker footage quite a bit by further strengthening the dynamic range. The Dolby Vision grade is gentle and effective. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. The entire presentation looks spotless. I think those who have patiently waited for Bona to be restored will be enormously satisfied with its transition to 4K Blu-ray.
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Tagalog DTS 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame. The lossless track reproduces the qualities of the original soundtrack very nicely. The audio presentation boasts clean, crisp dialogue and it especially impresses whenever Max Jocson's score is brought to the forefront.
Special Features and Extras
Jeric Soriano - in this new program, Lino Brocka's Assistant Director discuss the filming of Bona and its complicated production. The program was produced in 2025. In English, subtitled (11 minutes).
Nanding Josef - in this new program, Nanding Josef who played Nilo, Bona's suitor discuss the film and its unique qualities. The program was produced in 2025. In Tagalog, with English subtitles (22 minutes).
Q&A with Allan Brocka at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The program was created by KANI Releasing in 2024. In English, not subtitled. (22 minutes).
Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.'s short film, SUPERFAN produced in 2009. (SD). In Tagalog with English subtitles. (22 minutes).
Trailer - presented here is the New 4K Restoration trailer for Bona. In Tagalog, with English subtitles. (2 minutes).
Booklet - a 25 page illustrated booklet featuring Perverse Defiance, an insightful essay by Professor José B. Capino, author of the book Martial Law Melodrama, as well as technical credits and acknowledgements.
Bona attests to Nora Aunor’s remarkable versatility as an actress. KANI's combo pack introduces a fabulous new 4K restoration available only on the 4K Blu-ray, that is guaranteed to thrill its fans.
