Press release
VARIANCE FILMS presents
AMIGO
A FILM BY JOHN SAYLES
Opens August 19, 2011 (NY, LA, SF, selected additional markets)
STARRING: Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, Garret Dillahunt, Yul Vázquez, Rio Locsin, and DJ Qualls
On behalf of Variance Films, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker John Sayles’ new film AMIGO, a gripping drama set during the 1900 Philippine-American War.
AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.
When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters.
But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor.
Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.
A powerful drama of friendship, betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence, AMIGO is a page torn from the untold history of the Philippines, and a mirror of today’s unresolvable conflicts.
AMIGO will be released theatrically in major cities on August 19, 2011. (NYC- AMC Empire 25, Los Angeles- Laemmle’s Monica 4)
WRITTEN, DIRECTED and EDITED BY: John Sayles
Sayles recently authored the critically-acclaimed novel A MOMENT IN THE SUN (published in May by McSweeney's), which is where he began the extensive historical research about this little known and oft-ignored first chapter of American imperialist history that would become this film.
RUNNING TIME: 124 minutes / 35mm / 1:85 / Dolby Digital / English, Tagalog, and Spanish w/ English Subtitles
RATING: Not rated – appropriate for 13 and up, contains some violence and brief strong language
Written, Directed, and Edited by John Sayles, Produced by Maggie Renzi, Co-Produced by Joel Torre and Mario Ontal, Cinematography by Lee Briones-Meily, Music Composed by Mason Daring, Production Design by Rodell Cruz and Costume Design by Gino Gonzales.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.amigomovie.com
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VARIANCE FILMS presents
AMIGO
A FILM BY JOHN SAYLES
Opens August 19, 2011 (NY, LA, SF, selected additional markets)
STARRING: Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, Garret Dillahunt, Yul Vázquez, Rio Locsin, and DJ Qualls
On behalf of Variance Films, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker John Sayles’ new film AMIGO, a gripping drama set during the 1900 Philippine-American War.
AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.
When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters.
But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor.
Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.
A powerful drama of friendship, betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence, AMIGO is a page torn from the untold history of the Philippines, and a mirror of today’s unresolvable conflicts.
AMIGO will be released theatrically in major cities on August 19, 2011. (NYC- AMC Empire 25, Los Angeles- Laemmle’s Monica 4)
WRITTEN, DIRECTED and EDITED BY: John Sayles
Sayles recently authored the critically-acclaimed novel A MOMENT IN THE SUN (published in May by McSweeney's), which is where he began the extensive historical research about this little known and oft-ignored first chapter of American imperialist history that would become this film.
RUNNING TIME: 124 minutes / 35mm / 1:85 / Dolby Digital / English, Tagalog, and Spanish w/ English Subtitles
RATING: Not rated – appropriate for 13 and up, contains some violence and brief strong language
Written, Directed, and Edited by John Sayles, Produced by Maggie Renzi, Co-Produced by Joel Torre and Mario Ontal, Cinematography by Lee Briones-Meily, Music Composed by Mason Daring, Production Design by Rodell Cruz and Costume Design by Gino Gonzales.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.amigomovie.com
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