A and H (Film Analysis)

MANUEL, JELLY G.
BSED FILIPINO 1A
(HIMALA 1982) DIRECTED BY ISHMAEL BERNAL FILM ANALYS
1. How is the story told (linear, with flashbacks, flash-forwards, episodically)? What
“happens” in the plot?
 Himala is a linear story that has pre-arranged series of events. The events
in himala are in order, and the director didn’t use flashbacks. Himala is a
story of a 24-year-old girl from the town of Cupang named Elsa. The
inhabitants believed that the drought in their village was because of a
curse. The story starts when Elsa witnesses a vision of the Virgin Mary
during an eclipse. Because of that scenario, Elsa began healing residents,
and Chayong and Sepa, her friends, and the businesswoman Mrs. Alba
became her devoted companions and helped her. Her miracle healing
spreads, and because of that, even people from other places travel to visit
her and change her life.
2. How does the film cue particular reactions on the part of viewers (sound, editing,
characterization, camera movement, etc.)? Why does the film encourage such
reactions?
 The background music or sounds used in the film, primarily in the intro and
the part where Elsa kneeled in Front of a tree, gives a spine-chilling vibe. In
my opinion, the music used include Tennessee waltz by Pee Wee King,
maybe this year by Edna Savage, where the boys are by Neil Sedaka,
and Mr. lonely ideally suited the chill yet petrifying atmosphere of the film.
For the editing, because himala was an 80’s movie, as a viewer and as a
person accustomed to watching modern films, I find the effects and some
cuts on the film a bit off. And for the characters, which are significant part
of the film, every viewer can feel the connections and the emotions that
each character accorded. Every character gave an incredible act and
executed their role perfectly. And I like the character of Chayong, who was
a friend of Elsa because of her support to Elsa.
3. Is the setting realistic or stylized? What atmosphere does the setting suggest?
Do particular objects or settings serve symbolic functions?  -
 I believed that the setting of himala was realistic since the setting took
place in a small town called Cupang. And in our natural world, Cupang is
one of the barangays in Muntinlupa, Philippines. There were scenes in the
film where the setting took place on a hill, and I think that setting serves a
symbolic function since it was the place where Elsa believed that she saw
the Virgin Mary.
4. How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or
makeup reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age?
How do costume and makeup convey character?
 Costumes and make-ups are some elements that make up a character in a

film. Costumes and make-ups bring the characters to life. The choice of
costumes and make-up depends on the characters’ roles and needs, and
they give visual effects to each character.
5. What is illuminated, what is in the shadow? How does the lighting scheme shape
our perception of character, space, or mood?
 The shadow and the lighting scheme help establish a mood and the
atmosphere of a scene in the movie. Different lighting schemes and
shadows give a sense of meaning to the audiences; the shadow used in
himala shows or forms a suspense and dramatic feeling.
6. What shot distances are used? Do you notice a movement from longer to closer
shot distances? When are the various shot distances used (e.g., the opening of
the scene, during a conversation, etc.)? What purposes do the short distances
serve?
 Long shots and close-up shots have been used in this film. Long shots
were used to establish the relationship between the characters' physical
space and their moods as well as the setting. The film's long shots created
a sense of isolation between the viewer and the film. Long shot was utilized
notably in the opening scene when Elsa, the protagonist, traveled to the hill
where she "believed" she saw the Virgin Mary. Close-up shots were also
used when characters were conversing and when displaying the facial
expressions and moods and feelings of every character.
7. How do camera angles function? How do they shape our view of characters or
spaces?
 Camera angles are vital in making a film; they emphasize and help
strengthen the mood, the theme, and the narrative of a movie. Camera
angles maneuver every viewer’s emotion. The film himala used different
camera angles, such as high camera angles to show some characters'
superiority and low camera angles to show inferiority.
8. How do camera movement’s function? What information do they provide about

characters, objects, and spaces? Do they guide the viewer’s eye toward
particular details? Do they align the viewer’s perspective with that of a character?
 A camera movement is a change in the frame or perspective of viewers.
With the help of camera movements, viewers can see each character's
different points of view. It is a camera shift that directs the audience's
attention and acts as a replacement for viewers' movements. Also, camera
movement is used to see each character's different emotions, facial
expressions, gestures, etc.
9. What types of cuts are used? How are the cuts used (to establish rhythm, shift
between characters, transition between spaces, mark passage of time)? Does
editing comment on the relationships between characters and/or spaces?
 There were scenes in the movie where cuts were used to shift the
atmosphere from one character to another character/s and a transition or a
jump to another location.
10. Do different characters use different kinds of language? Do certain characters

speak through their silences?
 Since it is a Filipino movie, all characters in the story, from the protagonist,
the antagonists, the tertiary characters, and even the extras, use only one
language for communication: Filipino or Tagalog. There were scenes where
Elsa, the protagonist in the movie, doesn’t speak at all, but with just the
use of her eyes, she can communicate with other characters and the
viewers.
11. What is the music's purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within
the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image?
 Music plays a vital role in a film for the reason that it gives or creates
atmosphere and emotions. With the help of music, it allows the viewers to
feel connected with the characters and the movie itself.
12. How might industrial, social, and economic factors have influenced the film? Do
conditions in the filmmaking industry limit the way in which the film can represent
particular subjects? Does the film follow or critique dominant ideologies? Does it
reflect and shape particular cultural tensions?
 Himala addressed some social concerns such as religion, poverty, and

chauvinism. The film depicts deprivation, particularly in the scene where
children devour rotten meat. Poverty is one of the societal concerns that
our society faces today, as we all know. It also depicts the different aspects
of Filipino spirituality. It shows how Filipinos believe religious statements
that are not supported by evidence.
It shaped a particular cultural tension when Elsa announced that she had
seen the Virgin Mary, but many non-believers were skeptical. There was
also the scenario where she performed the miracle healing, but some
people did not believe in it, which caused cultural tension.

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MANUEL, JELLY G.

(HIMALA 1982) DIRECTED BY ISHMAEL BERNAL FILM ANALYS

 Costumes and make-ups are some elements that make up a character in a

8. How do camera movement’s function? What information do they provide about

10. Do different characters use different kinds of language? Do certain characters

 Himala addressed some social concerns such as religion, poverty, and

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