‘Himala’ is CNN’s Best Movie of All Time in Asia Pacific

Ishmael Bernal's film “Himala” was voted as the best Asia-Pacific movie of all time by the visitors to the US television network Cable News Network’s (CNN) entertainment Web site.

The 1982 classic which was directed by Ishmael Bernal and written by Ricky Lee was the only Filipino movie nominated. It featured a young Nora Aunor as a simple girl from the province who turned into a faith healer.

It outclassed other films such as Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" and Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Here is what they said about the movie:

'Himala' Philippines
(Ishmael Bernal, 1982)
Young Elsa thinks she has seen the Virgin Mary and goes on a healing crusade -- just the miracle the nowhere town she lives in is looking for. The film's austere camera work, haunting score and accomplished performances sensitively portray the harsh social and cultural conditions that people in the third world endure.