Philippine National Artist for Film Lino Brocka’s 1980 film “Bona” is set to make its return to Cannes Film Festival as it will be screened in a restored version for the first time at the Cannes Classics section of this year’s festival, happening on Sept. 25.
Starred by award-winning actress Nora Aunor and veteran actor Philip Saalvador, “Bona” will be part of the festival’s Restored Prints category. The announcement came in an announcement shared on Cannes’ website on April 25, alongside the inclusion of other restored films like Steven Spielberg’s “The Sugarland Express” (1970), “Johnny Got His Gun” (1971), and Jean-Pierre Melville’s “Army of Shadows” (1969).
Cannes describes the restoration process as being done “in 4K by Carlotta Films and Kani Releasing at the Cité de Mémoire laboratory (Paris) from the original 35mm image and sound negatives preserved by LTC Patrimoine.”
The classic film will be screened in the presence of Carlotta Films director and co-founder Vincent Paul-Boncour.
Considered one of Brocka’s masterpieces, “Bona” follows the story of a teenager infatuated with a fading actor who, unfortunately, exploits her and other women. Nora portrays the titular Bona, while Philip plays Gardo, the manipulative bit-part actor.
Originally released in 1980 as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival, “Bona” returns to Cannes 44 years later after its initial selection in the 1981 Directors’ Fortnight. The film also gave Nora her second Gawad Urian’s Best Actress award.