Film Analysis Of Himalaa

In a country that’s engulfed by the Catholic faith, it’s ironic to find Ishmael Bernal’s Himala such a hit. This film portrays blind faith in the presence of the poverty-stricken town of tiny Cupang. The film was released back in December 25th 1982, and has a total running time of 124 minutes with the genre of drama. It centers on the themes truth, faith and morality. The film focuses on a teenager played by Nora Aurnor, Elsa, who claims to have seen an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a hill in Cupang. The setting is believed to have been cursed with drought. With her Seven Apostles, she goes about healing aliments and souls. This draws the attention of thousands of people both new converts and skeptical non-believers and brings hundreds of them into the town of Cupang. As a result of the rising number of tourists, the town’s income sky-rocketed but it also comes at the price of more issues such a theft, rape and drugs. With a budget of 3 million pesos, one cannot expect much in terms of the visual aspects of the film. The setting played a vital role in the portrayal of the town’s poverty. There was not a single concrete wall in site. All the houses and establishments were made of wood. Bahay Kubo, the simplest form of housing in Filipino culture is the most common, if not, the only form of shelter you can find in the film. The trends of costume and props follow the style of the 1980’s destitute Filipino town. Camera angle were kept simple and minimalistic.