Sibak: Midnight Dancers

Sibak: Midnight Dancers is a 1994 Philippines film, and the first of a series of three gay-themed movies by Mel Chionglo and Ricky Lee about the lives of macho dancers (strippers)[1] in the gay bars of Manila. The later two are Burlesk King and Twilight Dancers.[2] All three follow in the tradition of Lino Brocka's 1988 film Macho Dancer. This movie was banned in the Philippines.

Sibak: Midnight Dancers
DVD poster
Directed byMel Chionglo
Written byRicky Lee
Starring
Release dates
  • September 9, 1994 (1994-09-09) (TIFF)
  • July 5, 1995 (1995-07-05) (Philippines)
  • September 28, 1995 (1995-09-28) (United States)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Plot

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The story revolves around the lives of three brothers who work as strippers in a gay bar in Ermita, Manila.[3] The oldest, Joel, has a wife and a boyfriend. Dennis, the middle brother, steals car radios with his friends. The youngest, Sonny, dropped out of college and has a transsexual lover.

Cast

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  • Nonie Buencamino as Dave
  • Lawrence David as Sonny
  • Gandong Cervantes as Dennis
  • Alex Del Rosario as Joel
  • Luis Cortes
  • Danny Ramos
  • Richard Cassity
  • John Mendoza
  • Leonard Manalansan
  • Perla Bautista as Mother
  • Ryan Aristorenas as Bogart
  • Soxie Topacio as Dominic
  • Maureen Mauricio as Zeny
  • Ray Ventura as Gregorio

Reception

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The film received positive reviews from the Toronto Film Festival.[4] However, the film was banned by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Sarmenta, Serverino R. (2008). Movies that Matter: A Festschrift in Honor of Nicasio D. Cruz, SJ. Office of Research and Publications, Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University. p. 31. ISBN 978-971-0358-36-6. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. ^ Acar, Aedrianne (21 September 2019). "Showbiz industry mourns the death of master director Carmelo 'Mel' Chionglo". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b Hidalgo, Antonio A. (1996). The Asian Traveller. Anvil Publishing Incorporated. p. 28. ISBN 978-971-27-0551-9. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  4. ^ Malone, Peter (2007). Through a Catholic Lens: Religious Perspectives of Nineteen Film Directors from Around the World. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-7425-5230-2. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
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