Kidlat Tahimik


Eric Oteyza de Guia, better known as Kidlat Tahimik, is a film director, writer and actor whose films are commonly associated with the Third Cinema movement through their critiques of neocolonialism. For his contributions to the development of Philippine independent cinema, he was recognized in 2018 as a National Artist of the Philippines for Film - a conferment which represents the Philippine state's highest recognition for artists.
One of the most prominent names in the Filipino film industry, he has garnered various accolades locally and internationally, including a Plaridel honorarium for independent cinema. He is dubbed by fellow filmmakers and critics as the "Father of Philippine Independent Cinema".
In recent years, Tahimik has become a noted installation artist with his works exhibited in various public spaces in the Philippines.

Early life and education

Tahimik born in Baguio, Philippines a summer report community established in the presence of several American military bases. Coming from a well-to-do family, he attended the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he was elected President of the UP Student Council, then known as the University Student Union, from 1962 to 1963. While attending the university he became a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity. Later on Tahimik studied at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, earning a Master in Business Administration and worked as a researcher for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris from 1968 to 1972.. The experience profoundly disenchanted him with global development models that evaluate progress only through economic and technological lenses, like those linked to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Following a summer spent working on a Norwegian farm, Tahimik tore up his diploma, resigned from his job, and committed himself to storytelling, starting with playwriting.
Upon his return, he founded AIESEC in the Philippines.

Influences and works

Tahimik’s early films focus on the cultural effects of colonialism and imperialism, highlighting Hollywood's global influence. This "soft power" normalizes political oppression and economic exploitation, creating obedient colonial subjects and willing consumers. This experience influenced the themes of his films, most notably the semi-autobiographical Perfumed Nightmare and Turumba. Perfumed nightmare was created on a limited budget and is considered as a classic of Third Cinema, winning the Independent Award category of 27th Berlin International Film Festival.
The latter of these two films provides some insight into the circumstances that brought him to Europe and into the presence of filmmaker Werner Herzog, who along with director Francis Ford Coppola and his American Zoetrope studio, was instrumental in helping to release Perfumed Nightmare in the United States.

Personal life

Kidlat is the son of former Baguio Mayor Virginia de Guia. Kidlat's wife is German artist and writer Katrin De Guia. They had three children: Kidlat de Guia ; Kawayan Thor Kalayaan; and Kabunian De Guia.
In February 2004, a fire was reported to have spread in their 4-story home in Benguet, the Philippines. The family was able to escape safely, but the director's film stock and collection of art and artifacts were destroyed.
Tahimik owns the vegetarian cafe Oh My Gulay located at the top of the La Azotea building in Baguio, Philippines and he also owns and maintains the Ili-Likha Artist's Village which is also in Baguio.

Filmography

Director

Feature films

Short films

The films listed here are less than 50 minutes in length:
  • Yan Ki Made in Hong Kong
  • Orbit 50: Letters to My 3 Sons
  • Celebrating the Year 2021, Today
  • Japanese Summers of a Filipino Fundoshi
  • Banal Kahoy
  • Aqua Planet
  • Some More Rice
  • Our Film – Grimage to Guimaras
  • BUBONG! Roofs of the World! Unite!
  • ''Ang Balikbayan: Memories of Overdevelopment 1980–2010''

Television film

  • ''Olympisches Gold''

Writer

  • Perfumed Nightmare
  • Turumba
  • Why Is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow?
  • ''BalikBayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment''

Producer

  • Perfumed Nightmare
  • Turumba
  • ''Abong: Small Home''

Actor

Awards and honors

Awards

*

National honors

Honorary degree