Cain and Abel – Kani Releasing (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Philippines, 1982
Director: Lino Brocka
Writer: Ricky Lee
Cast: Christopher De Leon, Phillip Salvador, Carmi Martin, Cecille Castillo, Baby Delgado, Mona Lisa, Ruel Vernal, Michael Sandico

Release Date: February 22nd, 2022
Approximate Running Time: 111 Minutes 36 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Tagalog
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.98

"Firstborn Lorens (Phillip Salvador) toils the land by buffalo, while Ellis (Christopher de Leon), the apple of his mother's eye, is given a university education in Manila. When the latter returns to the family’s hacienda with a metropolitan fiancée in tow (Carmi Martin), the domineering Señora Pina (Mona Lisa) immediately disapproves. Looking to reassert her influence, she asks her youngest to name his inheritance. Ellis claims the land—which sparks a family feud that invites tragedy and boils over into all-out filial war." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "This transfer of Cain and Abel originates from the sole extant 35 mm print held by the ABS-CBN film archives. The film was scanned on a Blackmagic Cintel scanner in 4K and restored in 2K at the Central Digital Lab in Manila in 2016.

Although presented at the 1982 San Sebastian Film Festival in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, circumstantial and historical evidence indicates the film was released in the Philippines in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It is presented here as such. Due to the nature of the available element and limitations inherent to the restoration itself, some softness, warping, and distortion are still apparent on the current transfer.

Considering the film's historical significance and the continuing importance of Sagip Pilikula, ABS-CBN's ongoing restoration project, we have elected to release the film as it is on home video. Please approach the transfer with understanding and empathy."

Cain and Abel comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.6 GB

Feature: 18.3 GB

The above-provided description gives a clear idea of what to expect with this transfer. Although the source has some serious limitations, there is only so much that could be done to mitigate these issues.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Tagalog with removable English subtitles. Although dialogue comes through clearly, there are moments where the volume fluctuates. Range-wise, ambient sounds fare well, while the overall soundtrack depth is satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a 2016 restoration trailer (1 minute 3 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Tagalog with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Christopher De Leon (16 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English and Tagalog with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Carmi Martin (13 minutes 13 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English with non-removable English subtitles), an appreciation by José B. Capino (11 minutes 58 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English with removable English subtitles), and a 20-page booklet with an essay titled Unrighteous Kin written by José B. Capino, Notes & Annotations written by screenwriter Ricky Lee, archival materials, a bio for Lino Brocka, and a synopsis for Cain and Abel.

Summary:

Cain and Abel was directed by Lino Brocka, who is widely regarded as one of Filipino cinema’s most influential filmmakers. Notable films he’s directed include Weighed But Found Wanting, Manila in the Claws of Light, Insiang, Bona, This Is My Country, and Fight for Us.

Although their mother treats the two brothers differently, on the inside, they are remarkably similar. The older brother, Lorens, works the land, while his younger brother, Ellis, has been away at university in Manila. When Ellis returns home wanting to drop out of school and take over the family business, it causes a rift between the brothers that escalates into bloodshed.

Lino Brocka reinterprets the biblical story of Cain and Abel, adapting it to resonate with contemporary themes. Although Lino Brocka’s film retains the core essence of Cain and Abel, there are areas where it diverges from it. The most significant difference is the mother’s favoritism toward Ellis, whereas in the original text, it is God who shows favoritism toward one of the brothers instead of a parent.

Lorens is the more self-reliant of the two brothers; he works a physical job, and he rarely lazes about. He’s also a family man; he has a wife, two sons, and another child on the way. Ellis relies on others to get the things he needs, mostly his mother, who coddles him. He’s lazy, does not believe in hard work, and is a philanderer who has gotten three women pregnant, including a woman who now works as his mother’s housekeeper. That said, Lorens only wants what he’s earned, while no matter what Ellis receives, it is never enough.

All around, the performances are outstanding, especially Christopher De Leon (Weighed But Found Wanting) and Phillip Salvador (Bona) in the roles of Ellis and Lorens. Both of them fully immerse themselves into character, and the moments they share are intense. Another performance of note is Mona Lisa (This Is My Country), who portrays Senyora Pina Laurente, the family's matriarch.

This film immediately captures attention with its ominous opening theme, which effectively foreshadows the impending tragedy. The premise of a bitter sibling rivalry rooted in childhood is superbly executed. The narrative does a phenomenal job establishing the characters and building momentum to a bloody finale where characters have gone too far and their only way out is death. Although the visuals let the performance be the focal point, that is not to say that there are not many arresting and intense moments. Ultimately, Cain and Abel serves as a profound exploration of how violence begets further violence.

Kani Releasing gives Cain and Abel its best home media release to date. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer