The Philippines has has selected Heneral Luna as its entry for the best foreign-language Academy Award.
The historical biopicture, directed by Jerrold Tarog, depicts General Antonio Luna’s battle to resist the forces of Spanish colonization in the 19th century. A national hero, Luna was supposedly a smart general, and a rabble rouser.
The selection was announced on Monday by the Film Academy of the Philippines and a committee headed by Mel Chionglo. The committee examined six features including Brillante Mendoza’s “Taklub” and Carlitos Siguinon-Reyna’s “Hari Ng Tondo.”
Made by Artikulo Uno productions on a budget of $13 million, huge by local standards, the film debuted in Philippines cinemas on September 9.
