24 Facts About Lino Brocka

Catalino Ortiz Brocka was a Filipino film director.

Lino Brocka is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema.

Lino Brocka co-founded the organization Concerned Artists of the Philippines, dedicated to helping artists address issues confronting the country, and the Free the Artist Movement.

Lino Brocka was a member of the Coalition for the Restoration of Democracy.

Lino Brocka directed landmark films such as Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Manila in the Claws of Light, Insiang, Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim, and Orapronobis.

Lino Brocka grew up and lived in San Jose, Nueva Ecija and graduated from Nueva Ecija High School in 1956.

Lino Brocka attended the University of the Philippines and began working in theatre, acting and directing plays where his career in cinema and television followed suit.

Lino Brocka joined the Mormon Church and lived on Mokoka'i for a year, tending to lepers, in an attempt to find answers regarding his homosexuality, but shortly after he returned to Manila after seeking closure.

Lino Brocka directed his first film, Wanted: Perfect Mother, based on The Sound of Music and a local comic serial, in 1970.

In 1974, Lino Brocka directed Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, which told the story of a teenager growing up in a small town amid its petty and gross injustices.

In 1981, Lino Brocka returned to the Cannes' Director's Fortnight with his third entry, Bona, a film about obsession.

In 1983, Lino Brocka created the organization Concerned Artists of the Philippines, which he led for two years.

Lino Brocka's stand was that artists were first and foremost citizens and, as such, must address the issues confronting the country.

Lino Brocka's group became active in anti-government rallies after the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.

Lino Brocka joined the Coalition for the Restoration of Democracy after his release.

In 1986, Lino Brocka served as a jury member in the 39th Cannes Film Festival.

Lino Brocka secretly smuggled an uncensored 35mm print of the film out of the country to evade government censorship; the print is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

One of the last things Lino Brocka campaigned for was the removal of US bases in the Philippines.

Lino Brocka would continue to do so, urging senators and the government to remove US military presence in the country, until his death.

In 1997, Lino Brocka was given the posthumous distinction of National Artist for Film.

Lino Brocka's name has been included on Bantayog ng mga Bayani's Wall of Remembrance, which recognizes heroes and martyrs who fought against martial law in the Philippines under Ferdinand E Marcos.

In 1987, a documentary entitled Signed: Lino Brocka was directed by Christian Blackwood.

Lino Brocka was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts in 1985, for "making cinema a vital social commentary, awakening public consciousness to disturbing realities of life among the Filipino poor".

Lino Brocka was posthumously named Philippine National Artist for Film in 1997.