Auteur theory-Lino Brocka

The auteur theory is when you judge the film based on its director and that the director of the film has an influence on whenever you will watch the movie or not. Definitely, when watching films we have our own taste and we are looking for certain stuff when we watch films. The same could be said to a director who looks for certain shots, themes, and symbols in his film where the people already know that the film is his.Some people are also disagreeing with the auteur theory saying that the films should not be judged by the director but as movies and individually. In this case, it is Lino Brocka, who is one of the most successful Filipino filmmakers. Brocka is anti-Marcos and that during that time you cannot go against Marcos so he hides some symbolism in his films that is anti-Marcos and puts it in his films

A Lino Brocka film is known for its violence which is one of the recurring themes for his movies especially Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang. The first hint into these for Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag was when Julio punched a robber who was going after the bag. Then a shot of his hands shaking as the first sign of his violent tendencies. Next was when he was drunk and that he picked a fight with someone who did not do anything to him. After Julio found out that Insiang was killed by her abusive husband and what I like about these scenes is that we see Julio’s face and we see the desperation and anger of that character.He then goes to the husband’s place then stabs him which makes him crazy that is hinted on the whole movie his desperation to find Ligaya and him getting a screwdriver so this was always going to happen and The filmmakers did a great job with easter eggs and hints for these scenes. Also the thought of how the husband killed Ligaya and the child of how violent that scene could be despite it not being seen on screen. Also the perceived death of Julio at the end in which the friends of the husband stabbing him with weapons. Insiang is violent on how the way Dado threats the community and his power and fear over everyone. And that he usually gives punishment to people that do not follow him.Especially to Bebot which he tormented after figuring out that Insiang liked him. Also, the shot, when Dado died showing the mom in a higher angle showing power at that position and Dado, is at a lower angle during these shots experiencing punishment is similar to the first scene with the pigs In where Dado was crushing and brutalizing the pigs some close up shots of the pig to just show how brutality they are experiencing. Also when Ligaya’s mother was killing Dado is very brutal and splatter of blood was shown. Which can be a symbol that Dado is a pig and that he should be brutalized the same way that the pigs were brutalized. 

 The Philippines is not a rich country and Brocka emphasizes this showing how the majority of the Filipino people live and work hard in there everyday lives. The wide shots of showing the poor are also prominent for both films Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag started the movie with multiple shots over the busy Manila I believe that the purpose of these shots is to show the viewer that the main set would be more of the less fortunate and Filipinos struggling with money. This problem is most prominent when Julio was a construction worker and that they showed his fellow construction workers also struggling with money. Insiang also focuses on the poor when it shows some wide shots of the informal settlers’ area and the kids running. Also that everyone is scared of dado and is struggling when it comes to money.Because he punishes everyone who does not follow him especially Bebot when he realized that Ligaya likes him.Even insiang’s relatives had to go away even if they are struggling with money due to the heartless of Insiang’s mother kicking them out. Also making them strip their clothes that she lends to them showing that most Filipino people don’t even have their own clothes to wear which was highlighted in these scenes.

 Brocka also focuses on social issues and symbolizes them in his films, For Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag is poor, it’s that manila is not a guarantee to be rich and is not the promised land that it is.showing the busy Manila ties in well with the construction storyline because it shows that Manila is not as glamorous as what the province thinks. He also wants to share that it is important to study he shows these by most of the side characters talked about studying which for me is a way for the filmmakers to tell the Filipino youth to stay in school and have a chance at a better life.  Also that the Ligaya that julio was chasing in manila could be the same that most people chase the Ligaya in manila and think once they come here there money problem will just be gone instantly. For Insiang it is that it could be that there are really males who take advantage of a woman. There was a scene where one male character touched a female character’s breasts. People usually have excuses like lasing lang sila and boys will be boys.which in reality is not a valid excuse. They also say that it is just alright and no harm was done. Also when Dado raped insiang with close up shots of insiang with the agony in her face when she was first raped. It might seem like an anti-feminist film at the beginning but towards the end it became a feminist film. Also that the mom is very abusive and does not treat Insiang right which can be a symbol of Marcos and how he treats the Filipino people.It also showed that a character who we did not expect to be strong. After insiang was raped it seemed like she was just letting it happen but she had a plan. It was hinted when she told Bebot she would not leave she had to do something. Then she prevailed showing that you should not underestimate her. Which was a complete opposite from how she was begging bebot to stay at the beginning. 

Both the main characters of each film’s morality and character were tested in each film. Also how they respond to the events of their respective films. Julio was from the province that came to Manila to find Ligaya. Eventually when he figured out that the love of his life Ligaya has died. His morality was tested will he take revenge in which he killed the tormentor of ligaya so his character had a complete turn in morality in the film from a simple province boy to a violent person who will hurt anybody.Insiang was a shy girl but due to getting raped and Bebot leaving her she became stronger she eventually set up her mother to kill dado in which she also changed to a tactical and willing to hurt anyone who hurts her.

The character’s ending is very different Julio got what he wanted Ligaya for a short time. But during these temporary times, he forces her to escape which kills her and now he faces the guilt and eventually dies. Ligaya, on the other hand, got what she wanted she got revenge on her rapist dado, and also her mother for all the abuse she received during her torment. But also it seems like she was still sad and through everything still loved her mother. If you judge both films you can feel that it was made by the same person with the same setting focuses on the poor. Social issues being tackled and want to make the eyes of the Filipino people to be open with the things going on in the country. He also introduces violence and blood. If I watch these films without knowing that they are made by the same person I would not be surprised once I figure it out and the movies definitely have the same feel into it. 

Lino Brocka also plays with our expectations with Gratified expectations for Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang it was when Julio finally met Ligaya and that was his journey throughout the film so we expected to meet him at some point. Also, a gratified expectation is that when Julio became violent and stabbed the husband because he had many violent tendencies in the film and the screwdriver was shown on his way to the husband’s place. For insiang it was when Dado finally raped her because these were teased at the beginning of the film with the way he looks and touches her. He also defends her from the mother. So as the audience we know that he likes her and is about to make a move and when he does we are not surprised. Another one would be when Dado was punishing Bebot because we knew that Dado was jealous because he liked Insiang so the way he acted was to scare Bebot.

The cheated expectation for Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang when ligaya never came to the meeting place where they are planning to escape but instead she died which we did not expect because in the back of our minds we wanted both of them to be together. Another cheated expectation is that when the lady that took Ligaya was only shown in a few scenes because of the way she was portrayed at the beginning and when the movie came along her role was non-existent and I thought she had a bigger part to play in the film. For insiang it is that we expected Insiang to be this weak character because of her decisions on the film but she actually fooled her mom to kill the Dado who raped her using her mom’s feelings against her and getting revenge on both of them without going to jail herself. Another one was when Bebot her boyfriend did not fight for her and just left her after his promise that he will stay with her and escape together we expected him to stay because of her love and promise to Insiang but he left and was more scared of Dado.

Delayed expectation for Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang is that when Julio finally met Ligaya we expected them to then and there to show their affection because of the long time that they were away. but instead Ligaya told Julio lets to meet another time.Another would be that when Julio became a gay prostitute he was already uncomfortable and that I expected him to quit earlier than he did.For insiang is that the mom picked up on both of them having sex pretty late with all the warning signs in her house like Dado always leaves the room at night and when he comes back tired and sweaty. Another one would be when Insiang did not get it right away that Dado loved her because it was so obvious in the film and that is also why we thought that she was not a strong character. 

Brocka has different elements in his film like in Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag is that he placed a hook it was that Julio always had these flashbacks of a girl. And eventually the only thing that we know is that a girl from Manila took her and that she escaped and she went missing. As an audience, we are left to wonder what is the significance of that girl and made us invested in his search for Ligaya. The prostitution plot is not really part of the main story and is just for laughs and the only thing it contributes to the main arc is that Julio is struggling with money. That being said, I believe that it did a great job of giving us a breather when it comes to having heavy scenes like when he was about to sell his body the cat is always in the way, making a funny scene. It is very important because the rest of the film is very heavy and that having breaks can play with the viewer’s expectations when it comes to the tone of the film.Insiang, however, did not have that hook or mystery and we know immediately that the mother is very mean and controlling. Dado is a playboy. We already knew straight up what was with these characters. We just wondered how will Insiang react and cope with these people throughout the film.

Notable shots for his films is that in Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag Is the shot on one of the construction worker got injured. There was a shot showed the metal was giving in and then, a shot of it falling to one of the workers and multiple shots of showing the expression of everybody. Also a shot of the boss not caring and telling everyone to continue their work and carry on.Showing that he does not really care for them. Then there was a scene in which the construction head is letting people go, which for me the filmmakers did well because after every name said you can sense the hopelessness of every worker and the desperation of their name not being said it also helps that multiple scenes of the movie that the construction head is seen as a merciless and unforgiving boss and when Julio’s name is finally called we are left heartbroken and clueless for what is next for the film.In insiang it was the shot when Insiang was holding the iron and a close up shot showing her anger towards her mother and saying that dado had better sex with insiang. You can see the hurt on the mother’s face with a close-up shot.Also a lot of middle shots between Insiang and dado it is to establish that Dado is making moves on insiang. 

The prostitution plot is not really part of the main story and is just for laughs and the only thing it contributes to the main arc is that Julio is struggling with money. That being said, I believe that it did a great job of giving us a breather when it comes to having heavy scenes like when he was about to sell his body the cat is always in the way, making a funny scene. It is very important because the rest of the film is very heavy and that having breaks can play with the viewer’s expectations when it comes to the tone of the film. Insiang does not have a comedic breather and that the film is serious all throughout. The closest thing we have as a breather are Insiang’s conversations to her best friend which I think was the purpose of the director and he wanted less comedic stuff in these film. 

Lino Brocka films are still prominent in these days and age. Not only does he inspire most of the current Asian directors but his films are still relevant to this day. The issues in Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang and Insiang are still happening to this day. for Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag it is the poverty which we can see in these streets today and Insiang  is about rape which is actually linked to murder nowadays. So if we try to make a modern version of these films it’s purpose and issues it is trying to share is still happening and is still relevant.

Most of brocka’s films are mostly grounded and do not have a supernatural element to them and focus on stories that could happen in real life. Though his films are realistic that does not necessarily mean it’s part of the realism theory. That is because most of the films are a mix of formalism and realism. An example would be that music and noises are being heard which does not happen in real life. Maynila sa Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag when julio was talking with Ligaya there was a creepy noise which would not happen in real life. Also when julio was about to stab the husband there was background music and noises playing. Also some shots where Julio was daydreaming of Ligaya. For Insiang it could be when the faucet was dripping and also a creepy voice was playing.

Both movies have a lot of similarities and if you look close enough you can tell that it was made by the same director. If you were to tell me that both of these films were made by the same director I would not be surprised. From the setting and social issues highlighted in his films. You know that Brocka wants to tackle all of these issues through his medium film. You can also tell that most of his films could be targeted to older audiences. He also wants to open the eyes of the Filipino people that there are issues in our country and that we cannot simply ignore them. With violence and themes like rape might be too much to handle for people that are very young so that could be his potential target audience and also they are the ones who can understand the message of his films and the purpose that he is making them. He is definitely one person I would recommend when it comes to auteur theory because it is easy to distinguish his movies and that him being a well-known director might be a good way to see his films with the auteur theory in mind. Though they are made by the same director you can tell that each movie can stand out on its own and have differences as well. 

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