NUNAL SA TUBIG

Philippines, 1976, 110 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Ishmael Bernal.

Ishmael Bernal was one of the top directors in the Philippines from the 1970s to the 1990s. Most notable was his film of 1981, and expose of life in the capital during the Marcos regime and Martial Law, Manila by Night/ City after Dark. He also won awards with his religious themed In Himala.

This 1976 film is set on an island away from the capital. It focuses on life in the village, day by day life, fishing, family gatherings, deaths and funerals, difficulties from the outside, especially the contamination of the fish. It also highlights the range of seasons, a very strong sequence dramatising a storm and its effects.

There is also an openness to the outside, the daughter of the midwife of the village going into the town, attending lectures by doctor on birth and reproduction, intending to move from the island. There are relationships, a young woman working with her mother and her mentally disabled aunt, a young man who has a ferry but decides that he wants to leave the town for the Navy, leaving a young woman pregnant and enduring a difficult birth.

The film is something of some moments frozen in time, life in the Philippines in the 1970s – and, with its naturalistic look at the environment, people and situations, it is reminiscent of the Italian Neo-realism of the 1940s.

1. The status of the film? A Filipino classic? Of the 1970s? The significant social themes? The work of the director?

2. The locations, the provinces, the islands, the coast, the ferries and the people, the small town and village, the larger town? The musical score?

3. In the tradition of Italian neo-realism of the 1940s? Glimpses and snapshots, episodes? The lack of causal continuity, rather the juxtaposition of episodes? The audience making the connections?

4. The overall impression, the impact of the locations, the weather and the fierce storm, the people with their livelihoods, family life, homes, changes in society, relationships?

5. Benjamin and his story, his father leaving the boat, the motor, his relationship with his mother? His wanting to leave and be a sailor? His place in the village? The attraction towards Chedang, the relationship with Maria, the sexual encounter, his leaving, return, finding Maria, wanting to reunite with her?

6. Maria, at home, her mother, the presence of her aunt, her aunt and her mental condition? The work, friendship with Chedang, her dreams? Talking with Benjamin, the sexual encounter, the pregnancy, with her aunt walking through the village, the buildup to the birth, wanting Chedang in to assist, the difficulties of the birth, the head of the child, its a death? The reaction? The touch of catatonic? Benjamin’s return?

7. Chedang, working with her mother, the mother as a midwife, the processes and recipes for herbs, the health of the women, to procure abortions? Chedang going to the town, the doctor, his classes, birth and processes? Her leaving the town, the relationship with Benjamin, returning, being with Maria, her death? A future?

8. Families, arriving on the ferry, shelter in the house, the devastation of the storm and its details? Surviving?

9. The boy and the young man, the circumcision experience?

10. The dead man, being carried, people’s grief, gathering together, the interactions, discussions, the prayer and the wake, the meal, the rituals?

11. The contamination of the lake, the dead fish, drying them out, trying to sell them, the inspector coming, the enquiries? The possibilities for change, the inspector giving a talk to the fishermen and the four-month delay?

12. The aunt, her character, the focus on her face, her place in the house, mental condition, going out for walks, supporting Maria, the official coming with the questionnaire and her claiming to be the leader of the village? The subsequent mockery?

13. The boys coming to the town, interrogating people as to whether they went to mass?

14. The absence of a priest, the new priest arriving, the boat and his case going into the water? Comic touches?

15. The two sides of the lake developments, decline, plans, over time?

16. A picture of the Philippines in the provinces in the 1970s, the period of Martial Law?