Fil-Am war film to hold sneak previews in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Oscar-nominated American director and screen writer John Sayles brings his wartime drama “Amigo” to Cebu for a series of advance screenings.

This February 10 (Thursday) and February 11 (Friday), SM City Cebu’s Cinema 7 and 6 (respectively), will hold the sneak previews of the 2010 film that was written and directed by Sayles and featuring Oscar-award winning actor Chris Cooper, as well as highly regarded Filipino thespians Ronnie Lazaro, Rio Locsin, Pen Medina, Bembol Roco, Irma Adlawan, John Arcilla and Bodjie Pascua.

Although produced, written and directed by an American, the film is entirely shot in Bohol and the staff and crew is 100 percent Filipino.

“Amigo” has also been touring international festivals. It has already been screened in Toronto, London and was an entry to the San Sebastian (Spain) and Rio de Janeiro film fests. It was recently shown in the US courtesy of the American Film Institute.

The film tackles a part of Philippine history that has never been portrayed in moving images before and thus, would be a great learning experience for Filipinos who will watch the film.

Taking place in the Philippines in the1900s during the Philippine-American War, AMIGO centers on the story of Rafael Dacanay, the cabeza of Barrio San Isidro, Luzon, who must deal with a garrison of American soldiers led by Lt. Compton, a fair and sympathetic officer.

Neither side can understand and trust the other, but are forced to live together, trying to survive in the middle of a “dirty” war. When the American occupation policy gets tougher, Rafael has to answer to both the Americans and the Filipino patriots—with deadly consequences.

The story, which represents the Filipino point of view as much as the American, resonates intellectually and emotionally with Filipinos who have seen the film.

Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro was visibly moved by the film, describing it as “very educational.” On the other hand, Nestor Jardin, Cinemalaya chairman and former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, calls it “an intelligent film clearly told from the point of view of the Filipino, something that the audience can enjoy and grasp.”

The film will be available in cinemas nationwide on July 6, 2011, and will open in US theaters on August 2011. But through Lakbay Amigo: The Philippine Sneak Previews, advance screenings will be held in selected cinemas all over the country this February 2011—including Cebu this Feb 10-11, 2011. 

The SM City Cebu schedules are Feb 10 (Cinema 7) with show times at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and Feb 11 (Cinema 6) with show times at 2pm, 4pm and 8pm.

Present in the screenings are director John Sayles, and some of the cast members, including Joel Torre.  There will be a 30- minute open forum with the filmmakers and actors after every screening.

For ticket reservations, please contact 0917.303.8565.