Film tells the story of a community occupied by US soldiers during the Philippine-American War in 1901
St. Anthony Main Theater
115 Main St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612-331-4723
Fri. Sept. 16 to Thurs. Sept. 22
Filipino Community Special Showing
Sat. Sept. 17, 2011@ 4:00 pm: tickets at the door $6.00
Discussion following the movie; refreshments will be provided
Free ramp parking behind theater
2nd Ave. and 2nd St. SE., just off University Ave. (with validation)
www.stanthonymaintheater.com
More about the film: www.amigomovie.com
www.facebook.com/AmigoTheMovie
Oscar nominee John Sayles directs noted Filipino actors, Joel Torre, Rio Locsin, and Ronnie Lazaro, and Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, in a story of a Filipino village caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War. Beautiful and atmospheric, the award-winning film follows an American platoon during their occupation of the village of San Isidro in central Luzon in 1901. The dialogue is in English, Tagalog, and Spanish with English subtitles. The film was shot in the Philippine province of Bohol.
This powerful movie dramatizes the trials of ordinary Filipinos as well as ordinary US soldiers during the war for US colonial domination that began on Feb. 4, 1899, as the Filipino forces led by Gen. Aguinaldo fought for independence.
Minnesota connection: The 13th Minnesota volunteers (forerunners of today's National Guard), who fought early in Philippine-American War, are memorialized in a plaque on the wall of the Capitol building. Unfortunately, that plaque does not recognize that all but one of the battles listed were fought against Filipinos. The Minnesota Filipino community won an 8-year campaign to install a corrective plaque, which was placed in the Capitol Rotunda in 2002. For more historical background download Setting the scene for the events in “Amigo”
A photo exhibit about the Philippine-American War that includes the leaders of the Philippine Republic, the 13th Minnesota Volunteers, editorial cartoons from the time of the war and the installation of the corrective plaque at the Minnesota Capitol will be at the theater for the duration of the showing of "Amigo".
The discussion panel following the 4 pm Sept. 17 showing includes:
Addi Batica - Activist and expert on Philippine history.
Raul Debuque - Member of negotiation panel for the text of the Philippine American-War corrective plaque in the State Capitol Rotunda.
Marlina Gonzales - Multi-media arts curator and consultant.
- Marina Feleo Gonzalez - Playwright and screenwriter who wrote the acclaimed film "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo" ("Once A Moth").
Kyle Ward - Historian and author of: "In the Shadow of Glory: The Story of the Thirteenth Minnesota in the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War, 1898-1899".
Quotes from film critics
"An intelligent, thought-provoking film. Sayles paints a picture of conflict that not only is convincing in its complexity but also relevant to more recent U.S. attempts to impose democracy."
--Geoff Andrew, TIME OUT LONDON
"Impressive. Sayles tells his story with his usual cinematic vigor and attention to small detail. Garrett Dillahunt makes a strong impression. It will appeal to audiences interested in well-told history and should be of great interest to educators."
--Ray Bennett, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"A beautiful, well-crafted film with good drama, deft humor, subtle irony and fine cinematography. It fairly and unemotionally presents both sides of a long forgotten and ugly war. A cinematic pleasure." -- Wilson Flores, PHILIPPINE STAR
“John Sayles transcends the boundaries of race and nationality so utterly and triumphantly that he can justifiably be called a major Filipino filmmaker.” – Joel David, film reviewer, UP PROFESSOR
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