Heneral Luna

Heneral Luna

Official movie poster

Directed by Jerrold Tarog

Written by E.A. Rocha

Henry Hunt Francia

Jerrold Tarog

Starring John Arcilla

Mon Confiado

Arron Villaflor

Joem Bascon

Archie Alemania

Epi Quizon

Nonie Buencamino

Cinematography Pong Ignacio

Edited by Jerrold Tarog

Productioncompany

Artikulo Uno Productions

Distributed by Quantum Films

Release dates September 9, 2015

Country Philippines

Language Filipino, English

Heneral Luna is a Philippine Historical biopic film starring John Arcilla. The film was directed by Jerrold Tarog. The film revolves around General Antonio Luna.

Contents

  [hide] 

1 Sypnosis 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Release 5 Critical Reception 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

Sypnosis[edit]

Set during the Philippine-American war, a short-tempered Filipino general faces an enemy more formidable than theAmerican army: his own treacherous countrymen.

In 1898, General Antonio Luna (John Arcilla), commander of the revolutionary army, is spoiling for a fight. The Philippines, after three hundred years as a Spanish colony, has unwillingly come under American rule. General Luna wants to fight for freedom but members of the elite would rather strike a deal with the United States. The infighting is fierce in the new cabinet but General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to President Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado). Ultimately, it is the general’s legendary temper and pride that brought him to his death when a pack of presidential guards assassinated him in broad daylight. While American newspapers are quick to point the blame to Aguinaldo, the mystery has never been completely solved and the General’s killers were never put to justice.[1]

Cast[edit]

John Arcilla  as Gen. Antonio Luna Mon Confiado as Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo Paulo Avelino  as Gen. Gregorio "Goyong" Del Pilar Mylene Dizon  as Isabel Bing Pimentel as Doña Laureana Luna Epi Quizon  as Apolinario Mabini Aaron Villaflor as Joven Hernando Archie Alemania  Capt. Eduardo Rusca Joem Bascon  as Col. Paco Roman Alvin Anson as Gen. Jose Alejandrino Nonie Buencamino as Felipe Buencamino Alex Medina  as Capt. Jose Bernal Ronnie Lazaro  as Lt. Garcia Ketchup Eusebio as Capt. Janolino Art Acuña as Col. Manuel Bernal Leo Martinez  as Pedro Paterno Lorenz Martinez as Gen. Tomas Mascardo Benjamin Alves  as Maj. Manuel L. Quezon Romcel Musa as Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr.

Production[edit]

The film directed by Jerrold Tarog was made from a script written in 1998 by E.A. Rocha and Henry Hunt Francia which was based on documentary accounts aboutAntonio Luna. Francia passed away before the film was released. Tarog in a press conference admitted that the film took minor creative liberties such as Antonio Luna's usage of the Filipino curse word of putang ina (son of a bitch) in the film in an effort to connect the film to the target audience-the Millennials.

Release[edit]

Heneral Luna had a pre-release screenings at selected venues in the United States; August 30, 2015 in Anthology Film Archives Cinema in New York City and AMC Rio Cinema in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.; August 31, 2015 in Marina Theater in San Francisco and Krikorian Monrovia Cinema in Los Angeles,California. The film was also screened at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on August 30.[2]

Its general release in the Philippines nationwide is scheduled in September 9, 2015.[2][3]

The film was released with the tagline "Bayan o Sarili" (Country or Self?)[2]

Critical Reception[edit]

Heneral Luna received positive reviews from film critics .

Oggs Cruz from Rappler states that Heneral Luna is “A film that is precise in its storytelling and in its depiction of the major players of the revolution. John Arcilla is excellent. Tarog makes his character human… and creates an essay of everything that is wrong with our nationhood. Tarog’s HENERAL LUNA is fascinating, beautiful to gaze at, and genuinely affecting.” Philbert Ortiz Dy gave the film 5 out of 5 stars , saying "Beyond its obvious technical achievement, HENERAL LUNA is worth seeing for its audacious approach to tackling our country’s tragic history. All at once bold, artful, darkly funny, informed and deeply entertaining, it makes the revolution come alive in surprising, delightful ways. This film triumphs in capturing the spirit of its subject, the whole enterprise fueled with a heady mix of rage, irreverence and a genuine love of country. It is everything that an Antonio Luna biopic should be.” Michael Kho Lim from Daily Tribune also gave a positive review , saying “Timely as it is significant. John Arcilla breathes life to Luna. Complex. Poetic. Gripping.”

Heneral Luna received a Grade A from Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philippines.

See also[edit]