Friends from the movie industry and the media recently gave a warm welcome to internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brillante Mendoza’s Mindanao during the film’s premiere at The Podium Director’s Club Cinemas.
Mindanao, starring Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo and Allen Dizon, is one of the feature films in competition at the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival 2019, showing in SM Cinemas and theaters nationwide starting tomorrow, Dec. 25.
A joint project of Solar Entertainment, Center Stage Productions, and SM Cinemas, the premiere gave guests an exclusive screening of Director Mendoza’s latest masterpiece.
One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of trophies for the Best Artistic Contribution Award for Director Brillante Mendoza and Best Actress Award for Judy Ann Santos from the recent 41st Cairo International Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest and only internationally accredited annually running film festival in the Arab World, Africa, and the Middle East.
No less than National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, along with Isabela City, Basilan Province Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman, and Solar Entertainment CEO and President Wilson Tieng, graced the event. Megastar Sharon Cuneta was also there to give support to her good friend Judy Ann and the film.
Mendoza’s colleagues in the film industry Directors Chito Roño, Laurice Guillen, Bb. Joyce Bernal, Lawrence Fajardo, Daniel Palacio, Jason Paul Laxamana, Jim Libiran, Ronald Carballo, Ralston Jover, Zig Dulay, and Rica Arevallo were also present.
Cannes Best Actress 2016 Jacyln Jose, who starred in Mendoza’s internationally acclaimed Ma Rosa was there along with actors Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao, Richard Kuan, Ina Feleo, Agot Isidro, Kathleen Hermosa, Kiko Matos, Vance Larena, Zanjoe Marudo, Sue Prado, Chanda Romero, Jerry O’hara, Pewee O’hara, Harleen Bautista, and Joel Saracho.
Directed by Brillante Mendoza and written by Honee Alipio, Mindanao follows the story of Saima (Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo) and how she spends the final days of her sickly daughter Aisa (Yuna Tangog) at the House of Hope in Davao City while waiting for her husband Malang (Allen Dizon), a combat medic, to come home from an offensive operation in the province of Maguindanao.
Saima mirrors the harrowing life in Mindanao by retelling the epic tale of Rajah and Sulayman to Aisa – story of two warrior brothers who fight against the dragons, Ginto and Pula. The crayon images of the tale interweave the battle realms of Malang and of Aisa.
This is the first film of Director Brillante Mendoza that features animation, “I envisioned the epic tale to be in animated images,” he says. “We took time in the development of the animation, and I am happy with the rendition of the animators, truly we can be proud of their craft and talent, and I may say this film is also a tribute to the animation artists of our country. “
Apart from Cairo, Mindanao also had a World Premiere in Busan, a Japanese Premiere in Tokyo, and also competed in Kolkata. Mindanao is also officially selected for Taipei Golden Horse Festival, as well as the on-going International Film Festival in Beijing.
Be sure to Like and Follow www.facebook.com/MindanaoTheMovie on Facebook and Center Stage Productions at www.facebook.com/cspco.ph on Facebook, @cspco.ph on Instagram and @cspcoph on twitter for the latest news and updates about Mindanao. Don’t forget to support Mindanao at The Gabi ng Parangal of the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 on Dec. 27.
The Mindanao Red Carpet Premiere is one of the exciting events at The Podium Director’s Club.