Bayaning 3rd World (Digitally Restored)

Two filmmakers try to create a film venturing on the life of Jose Rizal. Before they do that, they try to investigate on the heroism of the Philippine national hero. Of particular focus is his supposed retraction of his views against the Roman Catholic Church during the Spanish regime in the Philippines which he expressed primarily through his two novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The investigation was done mainly by “interviewing” key individuals in the life of Rizal such as his mother Teodora Alonso, his siblings Paciano, Trinidad, and Narcisa, his love interest and supposed wife Josephine Bracken, and the Jesuit priest who supposedly witnessed Rizal’s retraction, Fr. Balaguer. Eventually, the two filmmakers would end up “interviewing” Rizal himself to get to the bottom of the issue.

Part-investigative documentary, part-satire and shot entirely in black-and-white, the film tackles the mystery that surrounds the life and death of the Filipino hero, Jose Rizal.

Director: Mike De Leon
Writers: Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr., Mike De Leon
Stars: Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, Cris Villanueva, Daria Ramirez, Rio Locsin, Cherry Pie Picache, Joonee Gamboa, Lara Fabregas, E.A. Rocha, Lui Manansala, Lawrence David, Jay Españo, Bon Vibar, Edru Abraham, Keno Agaro, Jan Alexis Rutaquio, Benjamin Jr. Vasquez Barcellano, Kenneth Bruan