MANILA, Philippines – The premiere of the Filipino-American War film “Amigo” was held Tuesday night at the Trinoma mall in Quezon City.
Veteran Filipino stars attended the event including Joel Torre, lead star of the film, and Rio Locsin. Hollywood director and producer John Sayles, who wrote and directed the movie, also attended.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Sayles (Silver City, Lone Star and The Spiderwick Chronicles) said the film is not just a dramatic human story.
It also attempts to retell the events that took place during the Filipino-American War in 1898, but are virtually “unknown in the United States,” he said.
“Generally, we win a war, we celebrate. There's [only] 2 other American movies ever made about this war in 110 years. It tells you that it’s something very controversial in the United States to the point that they buried the history,” the American said.
Sayles, however, clarified that “Amigo” is not an anti-American movie.
Torre lauded Sayles for his ability to piece together 3 different perspectives – the Philippine, American, and the victims' points of view – in one movie. “He was able to transcend race and culture," Torre said.
Sayles, Torre and another veteran Filipino actor, Ronnie Lazaro, closely worked together to complete “Amigo.”
Sayles said Torre and Lazaro helped him cast Filipino stars. He was very impressed not just by Torre’s acting skill but also his ability to convince Filipino actors to be part of the movie.
Torre said that although there are American actors in the film, it is 99% Filipino.
Aside from Torre, Lazaro and Locsin, Bodjie Pascua and American actor Chris Cooper also starred in “Amigo.”
An exhibit featuring Filipino costumes and military uniforms of Spanish, American and Filipino revolutionaries were also on display outside the cinema during premiere night.
“Amigo” will have a Philippine showing on July 6. It will also be screened in the US in August this year. -Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News
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