Jose Rizal (film)

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Jose Rizal
Theatrical poster of the movie Directed by Marilou Diaz-AbayaProduced by GMA Films Written by Ricky Lee
Jun Lana
Peter Ong Lim Starring Cesar Montano
Joel Torre
Jaime Fabregas
Gloria Diaz
Gardo Versoza
Pen Medina
Mickey Ferriols Music by Nonong Buencamino Cinematography Rody Lacap Editing by Jess Navarro
Manet Dayrit Distributed by GMA FilmsRelease date(s) June 12, 1998(as part of Filipino Centennialcelebrations)
December 25, 1998(theatrical release) Running time 178 min Country PhilippinesLanguage Tagalog,Spanish Budget P80,000,000 (estimated) IMDb profile

Jose Rizal is a 1998 award winning Filipino film biopic directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

It was GMA Films' entry to the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival. It is touted as one of the biggest films ever made in the history of Philippine cinema with a record-breaking P80-million budget despite the fact that historical films are often notorious flops during that time. GMA's faith was rewarded. Released on Christmas Day, the movie packed theaters and swept awards ceremonies. It is one of the most successful Philippine films of all time, with its PHP 136.7 million gross.[citation needed]

The movie depicts the life of the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, who was played by Cesar Montano. The movie was directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

Synopsis

Accused of treason, Dr. Jose P. Rizal awaits trial and meets with his colonial government-appointed counsel, Luis Taviel de Andrade. The two build the case and arguments for the defense as significant events in the central figure's life prior to his incarceration unfold. Upon hearing Rizal's life story, Taviel begins to realize that the accused is not only innocent but exhibits in fact all the qualities of an extraordinary man. When the mock trial unreels, Taviel is all set to act as the prime advocate for his client as Rizal himself is about to give an earth-moving speech to defend his honor and address his countrymen. Meanwhile, the Spanish authorities have worked out the vast political machinery to ensure a guilty verdict. A revolution awaits in the wings. Blood shed, when the katipunan attack the spaniards, founded by andres bonifacio.

Awards and nominations

1998 Metro Manila Film Festival
- Best Picture
- Best Actor (Cesar Montano)
- Best Director (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
- Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
- Best Supporting Actress (Gloria Diaz)
- Best Screenplay (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
- Best Original Story (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
- Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
- Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
- Best Sound (Albert Michael Idioma of Road Runner)
- Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
- Best Special Effects (Mark Ambat of Optima Digital)
- Best Makeup (Denni Yrastorza Tan)
- Best Musical Score (Nonong Buencamino)
- Best Movie Theme Song (Nonong Buencamino for "Awit ni Maria Clara")
- Best Festival Float
- Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award.

1999 FAMAS Awards
- Best Picture
- Best Actor (Cesar Montano)
- Best Director (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
- Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)
- Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
- Best Editing (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
- Best Movie Theme Song (Nonong Buencamino for "Awit ni Maria Clara")
- Best Musical Direction (Nonong Buencamino)
- Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
- Best Screenplay (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
- Best Special Effects (Rolando Santo Domingo)

1999 Gawad Urian Awards
- Best Direction (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
- Best Cinematography (Rody Lacap)
- Best Music (Nonong Buencamino)
- Best Production Design (Leo Abaya)
- Best Sound (Albert Michael Idiota)
- best actress (Gorgonia Del Rivaera)
- Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas)

1999 Star Awards for Movies
- Movie of the Year
- Actor of the Year (michael Montano)
- Director of the Year (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)
- Supporting Actor of the Year (Jaime Fabregas)
- Adapted Screenplay of the Year (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim)
- Editor of the Year (Jess Navarro and Manet A. Dayrit)
- Musical Scorer of the Year (Nonong Buencamino)
- Production Designer of the Year (Leo Abaya)
- Sound Engineering of the Year (Albert Michael Idioma)

The film has been screened and ran in competition in different film festivals worldwide and included in the Official Selection for Panorama in the Berlin International Film Festival (1998). It also won 2nd runner-up in the Audience Award of the Toronto Filmfest.

Trivia

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The role of Jose Rizal was initially offered to Aga Muhlach.
Cesar Montano agreed to scale down his talent fee (reported to be 5 million pesos per movie). He also cancelled everything else on his schedule to concentrate on training for his role. His tutorials involved languages (Rizal spoke Spanish, French, German and Latin), fencing, painting, drawing, sculpture, and other skills that the national hero excelled in.
Initially shown before a private audience in 12 June 1998, the movie was one of the highlights of festivities for the Philippine Centennial celebrations. It was first released to the public Christmas Day of 1998.
Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a University of the Philippines film graduate, enlisted the aid of three known professors as screenplay consultants - Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera (Ateneo de Manila University), Dr. Randy David (University of the Philippines), and Asst. Prof. Danton Remoto (Ateneo de Manila University).