Mike de Leon\u2019s \u201cBatch\u2019 81\u201d is one of the restored films that will be shown in the Venice Classics section of the coming 74th Venice International Film Festival.<\/b>
\nMike de Leon\u2019s \u201cBatch\u2019 81\u201d is one of the restored films that will be shown in the Venice Classics section of the coming 74th Venice International Film Festival.
The Filipino film will be presented in an eclectic lineup that includes Bernardo Bertolucci\u2019s \u201c1900\u201d (1976) , Michelangelo Antonioni\u2019s \u201cRed Desert\u201d (1964) , Milos Forman\u2019s \u201cBlack Peter\u201d (1963) , Claude Chabrol\u2019s \u201cThe Third Lover\u201d (1962) , Jean-Luc Godard\u2019s \u201cTwo or Three Things I Know About Her\u201d (1967) , and Steven Spielberg\u2019s \u201cClose Encounters of the Third Kind\u201d (1977) .
\u201cIt\u2019s an honor, of course, that after so many decades, the film still manages to interest a new generation of viewers, \u201d De Leon told the Inquirer.
Some critics would surely point out that the revival of \u201cBatch\u2019 81, \u201d a film that delves into the brutal world of fraternities, is particularly timely, considering the resurgence of fascism and conservatism all over the world.
De Leon remarked, however: \u201cI am no longer sure that a film festival is the best place to air or express strong opinions about our present deplorable condition.\u201d
According to De Leon, festivals are \u201cfocused on only one thing: the director and his work, or in most cases, his ego. And directors attending festivals make the most of this, as they\u2019 re expected to. There is something surreal about walking on the red carpet and then, in some interviews, talk about a \u2018presidency bathed in blood.\u2019 \u201d
His film, which was produced by Marichu Maceda and showcased in the Directors\u2019 Fortnight section of Cannes in 1982, was restored by the L\u2019 Immagine Ritrovata (Italy) and the Asian Film Archive (Singapore) .
L\u2019 Immagine Ritrovata was the same firm that worked on Lino Brocka\u2019s \u201cMaynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, \u201d which was screened in the Cannes Classic section in 2013. De Leon worked as cinematographer of \u201cMaynila.\u201d
\u201cThe restoration is very good, but that isn\u2019 t a surprise as it was done at Ritrovata, \u201d De Leon noted. \u201cRitrovata\u2019s Davide Pozzi really made sure that the original-film look of \u2018Batch\u2019 81\u2019 was restored, and he suggested some modifications to remove the digital look that resulted from our own local grading.\u201d
Actor Noel Trinidad, who played a teacher-turned-neophyte in the film, exclaimed: \u201cThat\u2019s great news and well-deserved. I\u2019 ve always had a soft spot for this movie. I\u2019 m proud to have been a part of it. I enjoyed my role and consider it a highlight in my career. Kudos to Mike!\u201d
Actress Bing Pimentel admitted that \u201cBatch\u2019 81\u201d is particularly close to her heart.
\u201cIt was my first movie, \u201d she recalled. \u201cAnd it was directed by the brilliant artist, Mike de Leon!\u201d
Making it all the more special, she shared the screen with Mark Gil, who later became her husband in real life. \u201cHe was a remarkable actor, \u201d she said of her late ex-partner. \u201cMy first child, Timothy Mark, took the screen name Sid Lucero, after Mark\u2019s character in the movie.\u201d
The Venice premiere is a fitting return to the big screen for the acclaimed movie, Pimentel said. \u201c \u2018Batch\u2019 81\u2019 is now considered a classic and one of our cinema\u2019s best films. I couldn\u2019 t be prouder!\u201d
Told about the Venice debut of the restored film, actress Cherie Gil, Mark\u2019s sister, quipped: \u201cWow! That\u2019s all I can say\u2026 \u2018Wow!\u2019 What a great honor it will be for Mark!\u201d
This year\u2019s Venice fest will be held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 9 in Italy.<\/p>\n

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