Veteran Filipino filmmaker Mike De Leon, director of 'Kisapmata' and 'Batch '81,' dies at 78

• Legendary Filipino director Mike De Leon has passed away at the age of 78

• His death was confirmed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which hailed him as a "visionary filmmaker"

• De Leon was celebrated for directing critically acclaimed films like "Kisapmata," "Batch '81," and "Sister Stella L," which often explored complex social and political issues

• After a long hiatus, he made a final return to directing in 2018 with the film "Citizen Jake"

The Philippine film industry is in mourning following the passing of visionary director Mike De Leon at the age of 78.

Known for his unflinching examinations of Filipino society and culture, De Leon was a towering figure whose work challenged conventions and left a lasting mark on Philippine cinema.

The news was confirmed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in a statement on Thursday.

"The FDCP joins the entire film industry in mourning the passing of visionary filmmaker Mike De Leon," the agency announced in a social media post. "Mike De Leon shone a light on the beauty and pain of the downtrodden and repressed, bringing their stories to the cultural forefront."

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A scion of Philippine film royalty, De Leon was the grandson of Narcisa de Leon, the founder of the legendary LVN Pictures.

He forged his own path by directing a series of critically acclaimed films that tackled a wide range of subjects. Among his most influential works is the 1981 masterpiece "Kisapmata," an unsettling psychological horror film based on Nick Joaquin's short story "The House on Zapote Street."

The film, which starred Charo Santos-Concio, was a critical triumph both locally and internationally, earning multiple awards and a nomination for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Another hallmark of his career is the 1982 film "Batch '81," a gritty and violent exposé on fraternity hazing and the brutal realities of power dynamics.

He also directed the powerful political drama "Sister Stella L" (1984), a film starring Vilma Santos that resonated with audiences during the politically charged era before the EDSA People Power Revolution.

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His other notable films include "Itim," "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising," and "Bayaning Third World."

After a nearly two-decade hiatus following his 1999 film "Bayaning Third World," De Leon returned to the director's chair in 2018 for what would be his final film, "Citizen Jake."

A biting political thriller, the movie served as a commentary on the country's turbulent sociopolitical landscape and marked a fitting capstone to his career.

Director Jose Javier Reyes, in a message shared by the FDCP, praised De Leon's artistic integrity.

"[His] life was dedicated to film," Reyes wrote. "His consistent imagination to explore the language of cinema shaped what we understand of Philippine filmmaking today."

Mike De Leon's legacy is defined by his courage to tackle difficult themes and his dedication to telling authentic Filipino stories with a unique cinematic voice.

His passing is a significant loss, but his body of work will continue to influence and inspire new generations of filmmakers.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh