ARCILLA. Compelling performance in “Heneral Luna.”
After an initial struggle to keep it in theaters, the biopic film “Heneral Luna” has grossed P100 million since it was first shown in cinemas last September 9, according to its director and producer.
“Just found out that #HeneralLuna has reached the 100M mark. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,” director Jerrold Tarog posted on Twitter.
His post has since been “favorited” more than 600 times and retweeted by 300 users.
The film’s producer and distributor Joji Alonso also posted on Facebook an image of the “Heneral Luna” movie poster edited with the words, “Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! Heneral Luna has reached the 100M mark.”
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“When HENERAL LUNA opened last September 9th, and with the box office results for the 1st week, I really thought we would not make it through a 2nd week…Sadly, historical films do not even break even in this part of the world,” she said. “The film has a really important reminder to all Filipinos and the message just had to reach as many, as humanely possible. This was certainly no time to give up.”
“Yesterday, the impossible happened. The film grossed more than 20M in one day!!!” Alonso posted.
She said she slept late and woke up early while waiting for the box office report.
“And with that, the film has finally breached the 100M gross. Another 100M to go na lang for the film to break even. Ha ha. Kaya yan!” she said.
“Heneral Luna” has been making waves online and offline. It is one of the year’s most talked about films not only because of its much-acclaimed cinematography and script but also because it has stirred up debates on Philippine history.
READ: ‘Heneral Luna,’ best PH film in years, worthy of global audience
Since it opened, historians and enthusiasts have been digging up information on the iconic Antonio Luna and his peers — Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, among others.
READ: Two Lunas, two Mabinis | ‘Why is Mabini just seated?’ Epy Quizon stands up to the confused
It may soon achieve international acclaim as it was chosen as the Philippines’ entry to the 2016 Academy Awards Foreign Language film category.
READ: Heneral Luna picked as PH’s 2016 Oscars bet