Cheap Midnight Dancers (DVD) (Mel Chionglo) Price
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| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | Mel Chionglo |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 28 September, 1995 |
| MANUFACTURER: | First Run Features |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Color |
| TYPE: | Foreign Film - Other |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 720229909280 |
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Customer Reviews of Midnight Dancers
Provocative Film From Manila 'Midnight Dancers', like the late Lino Brocka's "MACHO DANCER", is a dark, melodramatic portrayal of Philippine's sex industry and the life in a Manila ghetto.
The movie is long and at times unbearable. The cinematography style is too 'film noir' which, thankfully, enhanced rather than decreased the quality of the movie.
Director Mel Chionglo' criticism of the hypocrisy in the Filipino society is apparent and effective. The movie's narrative is unpolished, although realistic, and the screenwriter/s, sadly, relied heavily on cliches.
Overall, "Midnight Dancers" is a provocative film from the Philippines, and one that is highly recommended. Veteran actress Perla Bautista gave a once-in-a-lifetime portrayal as the mother of three hustlers, and Cherrie-Pie Picache was memorable and effective in a minor role.
Gritty realism, gay romance
This movie depicts the ambivalence of individuals in a society where values are flexible. It is a complex story set against a background of the grinding poverty in urban Philipine cities. The central characters are driven by extreme circumstances to survive, For one it is compatable with his nature, for another it is a way to survive. To survive they work in a gay nightclub. An environment not unlike a surrogate family but the portal to an amoral way of life that pervades survival in the underclass. The characters are individuals, though romance is treated shallowly. One can sympathise and at times identify with their predicament. The film has strong plot and seems to give a gritty insight into the way of life some people must follow. It has tragedy, comedy, romance and kinship. So in many ways it can be a rewarding experience for open minded people who are willing to have their social conscience pricked.
Intense, moving experience..
This film is not a typical Gay & Lesbian-themed film. There are predominant Gay themes in this story, which are treated with dignity and sensitivity. As well, there are some sexually explicit parts and some poorly choreographed violence. Ultimately though, this is a story about survival where people have to look out for their survival and their families by themselves, while they struggle with the unforgiving, decieving reality in which they are trapped. The main theme doesn't use the issue of sexuality as the sole, main backdrop.
Having Filipino background certainly helped in understanding the cultural influences and the dynamics in this film. Main examples are shown in the characters' obligation to family, some of the unorthodox ideas of sexuality and the common cultural clashes between one's common values and survival.. While it's portrayals shouldn't be generalized towards the Filipino culture as a whole, the overall depiction is equal parts honest, disturbing and moving.. and also as one reviewer previously mentioned; ultimately depressing..
With that said, this film is not for everyone. The subtitling is a little bit incomplete in parts, the pacing is a little bit slow and and the Filipino themes may evade some people. If you can get past that, you may find it to be an intense, worthwhile experience..