Lino Brocka's 1975 film, Manila in the Claws of Light, is an important social parable played out on the real, gritty streets. It is easy to recommend The Criterion Collection's recent home video release of this strong film.

Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project, recently released by The Criterion Collection, opens with a striking film set in the slums of Manila, Lino Brocka's 1976 film Insiang.