International Premiere of Restored Classic "Jose Rizal" in NY
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) and Fiesta in America are set to premiere the fully restored and remastered iconic 1998 film, "Jose Rizal," in New York. Scheduled for August 13 at 6:30 pm at LOOK Cinemas W57, this premiere event follows the film's sweeping success at the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won 17 awards, the most in the MMFF’s history.
This special screening marks the first time the restored film by GMA Pictures will be shown outside the Philippines following its Cinemalaya premiere a few days earlier and is only the second public screening everywhere. Directed by the late National Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano as Jose Rizal, the film vividly portrays the final days of Rizal before his execution in December 1896, providing an intimate glimpse into the thoughts and struggles of the national hero.
From books to street names to the one-peso coin, Jose Rizal is ubiquitous in the daily lives of Filipinos. Yet, beyond his status as a national hero, how much do we truly know about him? Who is the real Jose Rizal? This film delves into the depths of his life, offering a profound exploration of his struggles, ideals, and sacrifices as well as his enduring impact on Philippine history and culture.
The star-studded cast includes Mickey Ferriols as Leonor Rivera, Chin Chin Gutierrez as Josephine Bracken, Gloria Diaz, Ronnie Lazaro, Pen Medina, Gina Alajar, Jaime Fabregas, Jhong Hilario, and Gardo Versoza. The screenplay was penned by Jun Robles Lana, Peter Ong Lim, and National Artist Ricky Lee.
Gil Quito, a New York-based writer and media producer, will provide a short introduction before the screening and will conduct a talkback with the audience after the screening. Quito is the author of the book-length biographical survey, “Marilou Diaz-Abaya: Beyond Feminism,” published in the award-winning anthology Direk: Essays on Filipino Filmmakers. He has also published on Abaya in other publications, including Asian Cinevision and the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. His production and screenplay credits span several acclaimed films, and he has curated major film retrospectives and series in New York.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the 50% discount in the ticket price, as Rizal the national hero has an enduring impact on Philippine history and culture.
The film aims to bridge the gap between the Philippines and the United States and connect the Philippine entertainment industry with that of Hollywood and the international stage.
The event schedule is as follows:
- Networking: 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm
- Screening: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Q&A Session: 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm
The restored version will first premiere in the Philippines at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, taking place from August 2 to 11, before the New York screening on Aug. 13 at LOOK Cinemas located at 657 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019.
Special Offer: Ticket buyers are entitled to win a free roundtrip raffle to the Philippines, automatically entered when they buy a ticket. Individuals can buy more tickets to raise their chances of winning. Please note that special guests are not included in the raffle.
Part of the proceeds of the film will be donated to flood victims of Typhoon Carina in the Philippines.
For more information and ticket purchase, please visit gophilippines.co/jose-rizal-film or call (212) 682-6610.
