Brutal is a 1980 Filipino drama film directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya from a story and screenplay written by Ricky Lee.
It was the first major Filipino film to tackle rape as a feminist issue. Brutal was followed by Moral (1982) and Karnal (1983), a loose trilogy of feminist films directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and written by Ricky Lee.
Synopsis Housewife Monica Real is arrested for killing three men, including her husband, Tato. Clara Valdez is a journalist searching for the truth about why Monica was driven to kill them and remain silent by refusing to speak to her family and her lawyer. With the help of her boyfriend, Jake, Clara seeks information from Monica's best friend, Cynthia, and Monica's mother to find answers.
Cast
Production After the success of her directorial debut Tanikala (1980), Marilou Diaz-Abaya was approached by producer Jesse Ejercito to direct a film for him starring Amy Austria, who had recently distinguished herself in the 1979 Lina Brocka film Jaguar.
Reception Accolades +YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result1980Metro Manila Film FestivalBest FilmBrutalBest DirectorMarilou Diaz-AbayaBest ActressAmy Austria1981FAMAS AwardsBest PictureBrutalBest DirectorMarilou Diaz-AbayaBest ActorJay IlaganBest ActressAmy AustriaBest Supporting ActressGina AlajarGawad Urian AwardsBest Picture (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula)BrutalBest Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon)Marilou Diaz-AbayaBest Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor)Johnny DelgadoBest Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres)Amy AustriaGina AlajarBest Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor)Johnny DelgadoBest Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula)Ricky LeeBest Editing (Pinakamahusay na Editing)Manalo Abaya, Marc TanarteBest Sound (Pinakamahusay na Tunog)Amang Sanchez, Rolly Ruta
References