Lino Brocka’s restored ‘Macho Dancer’ to premiere in New York for Pride Month

In celebration of Pride Month, the restored version of acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lino Brocka’s 1988 film “Macho Dancer” is set to premiere in New York this July.

Entertainment outlet IndieWire announced on Monday, June 1, that the newly restored 4K version of the film will begin screening at the IFC Center in New York on July 10 through Kani Releasing.

“Macho Dancer” follows the story of Pol, an 18-year-old man who leaves his province and enters Manila’s gay nightclub scene to support his family. The film tackles themes of queer identity, exploitation, corruption and survival in urban Philippines.

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The restoration was created using Viva Films’ original 35mm film elements and reportedly restored scenes that were heavily censored during the movie’s original release in 1988.

The film stars Allan Paule, Daniel Fernando and the late Jaclyn Jose.

Brocka is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in Philippine cinema. He directed critically acclaimed films such as “Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” “Insiang,” “Bona” and “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang,” many of which explored poverty, social injustice and political oppression.

Known for his socially conscious storytelling, Brocka also became one of the pioneering Filipino directors to portray LGBTQ narratives in mainstream cinema.

He died in a car accident in 1991 at the age of 52.

Prior to its New York screening, the restored version of “Macho Dancer” was also shown at the Museum of Modern Art’s “To Save and Project” program and the Los Angeles Festival of Movies. It is also scheduled to screen at Frameline in San Francisco, one of the world’s largest LGBTQ film festivals. /ra