Mindanao is a 2019 Philippine war drama film directed by Brillante Mendoza starring Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon. It was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[1]
| Mindanao | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Brillante Mendoza |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Odyssey Flores |
| Edited by | Diego Marx Dobles |
| Music by | Teresa Barrozo |
Production company | Center Stage Production |
| Distributed by | Solar Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 132 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Tagalog |
Cast
edit- Judy Ann Santos as Saima Datupalo; a Muslim mother who cares for her daughter afflicted with cancer. This is Santos' first film with director Brillante Mendoza and her first Metro Manila Film Festival film since 2012 where she starred in Si Agimat, si Enteng at si Ako with Bong Revilla and Vic Sotto. Among the challenges Santos dealt with in portraying her role is the fact that she had to often carry a 7-year-old child.[2] She also had to take into account cultural sensitivities to be able to portray a Muslim character in a respectful manner.[3] Santos accepted the role after she was approached by Mendoza despite having no script yet for the film at the time the offer was made.[4]
- Allen Dizon as Malang Datupalo; A combat medic[5] in the Philippine Army deployed to fight rebel forces in Mindanao[6] and the husband of Saima. Dizon's character is characterized as a Maguindanaoan Muslim man by director Mendoza to show that religion and personal belief is irrelevant to one's "love for country".[7]
- Yuna Tangog as Aisa Datupalo; the 6-year-old child actress portrays Aisa, the cancer-stricken daughter of Malang and Saima Datupalo being cared for in the House of Hope, a temporary shelter for children affected by cancer in Davao City, by her mother.[8]
Synopsis
editSaima (Judy Ann Santos) cares for her cancer-stricken daughter Aisa (Yuna Tangog) while she awaits the return of her husband Malang (Allen Dizon), who serves as a combat medic deployed in the southern Philippines.[9] Their struggle is juxtaposed with the folklore of Rajah Indara Patra and Rajah Sulayman, the sons of Sultan Nabi, who fight to stop a dragon devastating Lanao.[5]
Production
editMindanao was produced under Center Stage Production and was directed by Brillante Mendoza. It was produced by Mendoza and Carlo Valenzona. Diego Marx Dobles was responsible for the editing, Odyssey Flores for the cinematography while Teresa Barrozo provided direction for the film's music. Mendoza himself also was behind the film's production design.[10]
Prior to making the film director Brillante Mendoza researched about Mindanao. Since the film involved the Maguindanaon folklore of Rajah Indara Patra and Rajah Sulayman the film was initially known under the working title of Maguindanao but the title of the film was changed to Mindanao since the film's theme was deemed by Mendoza to be "bigger than Maguindanao". However he conceded that the issues affecting Mindanao are complex and the film is unable to fully present these issues to the audience.[5]
Marketing
editPrior to the film's Busan release a music video featuring the film's theme song "Itadyak" by Maan Chua was released. It featured colorful dances and select scenic locations from the film.[5] Solar Pictures released the theatrical release poster for Mindanao in the Philippines on November 16, 2019.[11]
Release
editMindanao was first released outside the Philippines at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival on October 5, 2019, as part of the Icons category.[9] It was also exhibited at the Tokyo on October 30, 2019.[7] The film was also screened in film festivals in Egypt, Estonia, India, and Taiwan.[6] The film premiered in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2019, as an entry of the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival. Due to its critical success in the film festival's awarding night, the film organizers decided to sponsor the film's screening in future film festivals.[12]
Reception
editAccolades
edit| List of accolades | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award / Film Festival | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref |
| 2019 | 41st Cairo International Film Festival | Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | [13] |
| Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution | Brillante Mendoza (Director) | Won | [14] | ||
| 45th Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Picture | Mindanao | Won | [15] | |
| Best Director | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Allen Dizon | Won | |||
| Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award | Mindanao | Won | |||
| Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence | Mindanao | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Honee Alipio | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Odyssey Flores | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Design | Brillante Mendoza | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Diego Marx Robles | Nominated | |||
| Best Visual Effects | Team App | Won | |||
| Best Sound | Hiroyuki Ishizaka | Won | |||
| Best Musical Score | Teresa Barrozo | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Theme Song | Itadyak by Maan Chua | Nominated | |||
| Best Child Performer | Yuna Tangog | Won | |||
| Gender Sensitivity Award | Mindanao | Won | |||
| Best Float | Mindanao | Won | |||
| 2020 | 18th Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | [16] |
| Best Actor | Allen Dizon | Won | |||
| 22nd Gawad Pasado | Best Picture | Mindanao | Won | [17] | |
| Best Director | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Allen Dizon | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Yuna Tangog | Won | |||
| Best Story | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Honee Alipio | Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | Odyssey Flores | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Editing | Diego Marx Robles | Won | |||
| Best Sound | Hiroyuki Ishizaka | Won | |||
| Best Musical Score | Teresa Barrozo | Nominated | |||
| PinanakaPASADOng Pelikula sa Paggamit ng Wika | Mindanao | Won | |||
| 38th FAP Luna Awards | Best Picture | Mindanao | Won | [18] | |
| Best Director | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Yuna Tangog | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Ketchup Eusebio | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Honee Alipio | Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | Odyssey Flores | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Brillante Mendoza | Nominated | |||
| Best Musical Score | Teresa Barrozo | Won | |||
| 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards | Best Heritage Film | Mindanao | Won | [19] | |
| Best Actor | Allen Dizon | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | |||
| Best Director | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| 14th Gawad Genio Awards | Best Film | Mindanao | Won | } | |
| Best Film Director | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Film Actress | Judy Ann Santos | Won | |||
| Best Film Actor | Allen Dizon | Won | |||
| Best Film Supporting Actress | Yuna Tangog | Won | |||
| Best Film Supporting Actor | Ketchup Eusebio | Nominated | |||
| Best Film Cinematographer | Odyssey Flores | Won | |||
| Best Film Editor | Diego Marx Robles | Won | |||
| Best Film Musical Scorer | Teresa Barrozo | Won | |||
| Best Film Production Designer | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Film Screenwriter | Honee Alipio | Won | |||
| Best Film Sound Engineer | Hiroyuki Ishizaka | Won | |||
| Best Film Soundtrack | Itadyak - Maan Chua | Won | |||
| Best Film Story | Brillante Mendoza | Won | |||
| Best Film Visual Designer | Team App | Won | |||
| International Excellence Awardee | Judy Ann Santos | Won | |||
| Outstanding Genio Awardee | Center Stage Productions | Won | |||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Nepomuceno, Neil Patrick (November 24, 2020). "'Mindanao' is PH entry to the Oscars 2021". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Valle, Jocelyn (November 7, 2019). "Judy Ann Santos hopes her MMFF 2019 entry Mindanao will have box office and critical success". PEP.ph (in English and Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ San Juan, Ratziel (October 25, 2019). "Judy Ann Santos 'grateful' for first MMFF entry in 7 years; reveals challenges filming 'Mindanao'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ Asilo, Rito (October 5, 2019). "'Mindanao' an answered prayer for Judy Ann Santos". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Sablad, Jo Ann (October 4, 2019). "'Mindanao' movie to watch". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Film: Brillante Mendoza's "Mindanao" Takes The Local Story of Love for Family, Love for One's Nation to International Audiences". Adobo Magazine. November 26, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Cruz, Marinel (November 6, 2019). "Brillante Ma Mendoza: You can't make a film about Mindanao and not mention the conflict". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "'Mindanao' star Yuna Tangog is Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 Best Child Performer". December 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Brillante Mendoza and Judy Ann Santos collaborate for the first time for Mindanao". Business Mirror. October 27, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "'Mindanao' continues film fest run in Taipei, Kolkata, Tallinn, and Cairo". Film Development Council of the Philippines. November 15, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "LOOK: Official poster of MMFF 2019 Entry 'Mindanao'". Philippine Ultimate Showbiz Hub. ABS-CBN Corporation. November 19, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ Parungao, Regina Mae (January 9, 2020). "ExeCom announces gross sales of MMFF 2019; details of the summer edition revealed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ "Judy Ann Santos wins Best Actress at Cairo International Film Festival". Rappler. November 30, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "Winners at Cairo International Film Festival". Variety. November 30, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "FULL LIST: MMFF 2019 winners". The Philippine Star. December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
- ^ "Judy Ann Santos, panalo!". Tempo. June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ^ "Kapamilya Stars, nominado sa Gawad Pasado 2020". Push ABS-CBN. March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ "Judy Ann Santos wins best actress as 'Mindanao' dominates Luna Awards". ABS-CBN. December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "'Quezon's Game' wins big at 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards". ABS-CBN News. January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.