Manila by Night: A Queer Film Classic

A Queer Film Classic on Ishmael Bernal’s 1980 film that follows a dozen characters, all denizens of Manila’s sordid yet exuberant underworld, as they pursue life, love, and pleasure. Upon completion, the film was banned in the Philippines by the Marcos regime, beginning an arduous journey through repression and censorship before finally being released by the government as proof of its more tolerant policies on the eve of the People’s Power uprising of 1986. David’s book explores the political, cultural, and historical ramifications of this important film.

Joel David is an Associate Professor of Cultural Studies at Inha University, Korea.