MANILA, Philippines – Independent Filipino filmmaker Mike de Leon died at the age of 78, his family confirmed to French film distributor CarlottaFilms.
Known to be “fiercely political,” De Leon was the brilliant mind behind a myriad of films that offer deep social commentary and highlights the plight of the marginalized.
One of his greatest works as cinematographer is Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag which was directed by Lino Brocka and starred Bembol Roco and Hilda Koronel.
De Leon would go on to direct films such as "Sister Stella L.," "Itim," "Batch ’81," and "Kakabakaba Ka Ba?" — all of which would make a mark on Filipinos across generations.
Among his latest works before his death was the award-winning 2018 film "Citizen Jake," which had been made available for free streaming ahead of the high-stakes 2022 presidential elections.
De Leon’s films were even screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2022, just months after "Itim" made its Cannes Film Festival debut. The iconic supernatural film was locally released in 1976.
In 2019, the Philippine cinema icon had also released a short film titled "Kangkunga — his critique on the Duterte administration.
Other than his extensive filmography, De Leon also has a book titled Mike de Leon’s Last Look Back, which he referred to as a “photographic memoir of [his] life in cinema.” – Rappler.com
Me with award-winning director Mike de Leon and TV broadcaster Atom Araullo, the lead star in MDL’s “Citizen Jake”… photo taken during the book launching of Mike de Leon book (Batch ’81: The Making of a Mike de Leon Film) in 2017.
Miguel Pamintuan de Leon, also known as Mike de Leon, is a noted Filipino film director, cinematographer, scriptwriter and film producer. He was born in
De Leon first made two short films namely: Sa Bisperas, 1972, and Monologo (Monologue), 1975. He established the Cinema Artists Philippines in 1975. He produced Lino Brocka's Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, while also acting as the said film's cinematographer in 1975. For Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, De Leon won best cinematography awarded by the
"Itim" (1976)- Stars Tommy Abuel, Charo Santos, Mario Montenegro, Mona Lisa, Moody Diaz, Susan Valdez/ Directed by Mike De Leon
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Known for his varied experiments in styles of film directing, he pushed the birth of the new musical in Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, a landmark film which portrayed a number of self-important totems of Philippine society. Kakabakaba Ka ba? won for De Leon the Urian award for best director.
His other movies include Kisapmata (1981), Batch '81 (1982) and Sister Stella L. (1984). In these films he tackled social and political issues with powerful and disturbing imagery. His blockbuster film, Hindi Nahahati ang Langit (1985) was an adaptation from an earlier Filipino Komiks version of the same title. In 1987, De Leon also made Bilanggo sa Dilim, a full-length video commissioned by Sony Entertainment.
"Batch'81" (1981)- Stars Mark Gil, Sandy Andolong, Ward Luarca, Noel Trinidad, Ricky Sandico/ Directed by Mike De Leon
"Sister Stella L." (1984)- Stars Vilma Santos, Jay Ilagan, Gina ALajar, Laurice Guillen, Tony Santos, Anita Linda and Liza Lorena/ Directed by Mike De Leon
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"Hindi Nahahati ang Langit" (1985)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Dina Bonnevie, Edu Manzano/ Directed by Mike de Leon
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"Bayaning 3rd World" (1999)- Stars Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, Cris Villanueva, Cherry Pie Picache, Rio Locsin, Lara Fabregas, Daria Ramirez, Joonee Gamboa, Ed Rocha/ Directed by Mike De LeonFilmography
2018 Citizen Jake
1993 Southern Winds: Aliwan Paradise
1987 Bilanggo sa Dilim (unreleased) video
1985 Hindi Nahahati ang Langit
1984 Sister Stella L.
1883 Signos
1982 Batch '81
1981 Kisapmata
1980 Kakabakaba Ka Ba?
1977 Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising
1976 Itim
1975 Monologo (Monologue), a short film
1972 Sa Bisperas, a short film
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