Bona: Classic Filipino Film restored in 4k, inspires new generation
Filmmaker Jonathan Navales attended the West Coast Restoration Premiere of "Bona" in 4k by Filipino director Lino Brocka at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Two rows in front of me, a woman turns to her friend and whispers, “I can’t believe I’m watching Bona in a movie theater... in 2024!” A family behind me giggles and takes selfies, discussing which one to send to Ate in the Philippines. Three high schoolers stand in the aisle, trying to pick out the best of the remaining seats.
All around me is excitement and good vibes — and I’m in complete and utter shock. For the life of me, I cannot believe that all these people are here to see a 40-year-old Filipino movie.
Mind you, I’m downplaying the event a bit. It’s not just any movie. It’s THE long-lost film by THE greatest Filipino director, Lino Brocka. And it’s not just any theater. We’re in the movie theater of THE Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. But even with all those factors taken into account, I was continually surprised when, little by little, the theater got more and more filled.
As a Filipino-American filmmaker, it was humbling. It was inspiring. You spend your whole life in love with an art form, not really sure if that art form could ever love you back. You wonder if your stories matter. But this room — filled with entire generations of Filipinos, eyes glued to the screen — was comforting. It was a cathartic hug. A discreet pep talk.
During the Q&A with filmmaker/ community leader Andrew Acedo and director Allan Brocka, Acedo said, “You can’t understate how impactful screening like this might be.” As he said it, I saw a sea of heads nod. You could feel the words resonating. You could feel the energy shifting. “Our voices and stories matter!” Allan said. And I can’t help but believe him.
Bona played in a movie theater 2024. Everything is possible.
Photos from the screening of Lino Brocka's Bona in LA
Jonathan Navales is a filmmaker and writer based in Los Angeles, known for his work with brands like Universal, Sony, SEIU, Fujifilm, and your favorite YouTube channel. Jonathan is passionate about telling dynamic, diverse, impactful stories—though he secretly dreams of scaring you as a horror filmmaker.
