The term bomba in Philippine cinema refers to a genre of films that emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s, characterized by erotic and sexually suggestive themes. The word bomba (meaning “bomb” in Spanish) became a euphemism for movies that featured nudity, sensuality, and adult themes—often pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable at the time, through a mix of soft- and hardcore elements. The genre flourished during the Marcos era, particularly in the early 1970s, when censorship laws were relaxed. Despite their provocative nature, many bomba films incorporated social commentary, addressing themes of poverty, corruption, and oppression.

Bomba Bernal is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam

Khavn once more comes up with a bold experiment who assembles a striking collage of archival bomba film clips (both soft and hardcore), a voiceover generated using AI from the writings of Ishmael Bernal, and narration from Khavn himself and his wife and producer Achinette Villamor.