"Kislap sa Dilim" (1991)
Bonanza Films
A Reflection Productions Presentation
Release Date June 27, 1991
Serialized in Espesyal Komiks
Story Elena Patron
Screenplay Gina Tagasa
Cinematography Bing Austria
Film Editor George Jarlego
Production Designer Benjie de Guzman
Musical Director Jaime Fabregas
Produced by Victoria Lorna Fernandez
Executive Producer William Lao
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Christopher de Leon, Gabby Concepcion and Lorna Tolentino, together with Charito Solis, Gloria Romero/ Introducing Malou Barry/ Also Starring Rez Cortez, Millet Advincula, Tess Dumpit
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Synopsis: Newlyweds Ciena (Lorna Tolentino) and Nitoy Espejo (Christopher de Leon) are invited by childhood friend Dick (Gabby Concepcion) to his hillside beach resort. On their way up the slope, one of the wheels gets stuck in a pothole. Dick’s friend, Iking (Ernie Forte), who happens to be nearby, summons his friends, Gilmore (Rez Cortez), Onyok (Boy Salvador) and Paeng (Roger Moring) to help them push the car out.
It is turning out to be a pleasant weekend for the friends. However, in the evening, Gilmore, who has been lusting after Ciena, breaks into the newlyweds‘room and punches Nitoy. Dick hears the ruckus but is knocked unconscious. Nitoy is tied to a pillar while his wife is raped in front of him.
The incident proves traumatic for the couple. However, the elder Espejo refuses to file any charges as it might besmirch their family name. Ciena recuperates in a hospital bed. Nitoy refuses to see her; it is Dick who brings her home. Nitoy is now cold and distant to Ciena. On her return home, Ciena confronts Nitoy; she accuses him of being insensitive to her condition. Nitoy retorts by saying that although she has suffered physically, he has to endure mental anguish. He cannot make love to her. He wants time to forget.
Ciena is bored in the house and wants to help her mother in her business. She informs her in-laws of her intentions but the elder Espejo, being conservative in his estimation of women, doesn’t want her to work.
Dick tells Nitoy that Iking is helping him track down Gilmore but this is brushed aside by Nitoy who doesn’t want a scandal. Nitoy tries to forget his sorrow by frequenting pubs and night clubs.
Dick tries to comfort Ciena. Nitoy becomes anxious as this might be misinterpreted by people who are not familiar with Dick. Nitoy tells off Dick, who feels guilty over the incident.
One night, Nitoy sees Gilmore and tries to hit him. He is stopped by the other patrons. Hecomes home bruised. Ciena tries to find out what happened. Instead, he breaks down and cries about how much he tried to protect the purity of his bride and how this was sullied by the rapists.
Exasperated, Ciena decides to return to her mother. But the Espejos refuse to have the two live separately as it might stir gossip. Nitoy is introduced to Blendy Marquez (Malu Barry), a nightclub singer and a liberated woman. Blendy is also into sketching nude males. She has a son who is living with her parents in the States. One day, Blendy visits his office with his nude sketch. Nitoy is embarrassed.
Iking tells Dick that he has found the hideout of Gilmore. The two decide to pay him a visit. Nitoy sees the two together and, sensing something afoot, follows Dick’s car. Gilmore, however, is not there.
In a jobsite, Nitoy asks Dick if the shanty they went to is Gilmore’s hideout. Dick replies in the affirmative but wants the police to catch him. Nitoy wants to exact his revenge without any help from the authorities as he does not want any publicity. Nitoy buys a gun. One night, he goes to Gilmore’s shanty. Knowing that Nitoy would eventually confront Gilmore, Dick follows him in his car. The two break into his shanty and try to subdue the surprised Gilmore. Nitoy shoots him but Dick stops him from finishing him off. In his anger and frustration, Nitoy pours boiling water over Gilmore’s private parts.
Gilmore is in jail. However, the elder Espejo forbids the couple to file charges in order to avoid negative publicity. Ciena becomes distraught and asks for advice from Dick. Nitoy sees Dick bringing Ciena home and accuses the two of having an affair. Nitoy punches Dick.
In the bedroom, Ciena slaps Nitoy for harboring dirty thoughts, but he spits on her and accuses her of being a slut. He forces himself on her while she cries.
The following day, she is visited by Blendy who asks for his whereabouts. This is the last straw for Ciena who decides to file charges despite the negative publicity. She is helped by Dick who confesses to loving her.
While the newspapers drum up of the rape case, Ciena falls faint. She is found to be pregnant. Nitoy thinks Dick is the father. The Espejos want the pregnancy to be aborted as people might think it is the fruit of the rape. Ciena’s mother angrily tells of the in-laws.
Ciena is now separated from Nitoy. Dick visits her but as a friend. The child grows up. Finally, Nitoy admits his mistake and asks for forgiveness.
Ciena says she has forgiven him a long time ago.
(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)
Original theatrical poster of "Kislap sa Dilim" (1991)
(Private Collection)
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