SCENE from the historical drama (from left): Art Acuña, John Arcilla, Archie Alemania (partly hidden), Joem Bascon and Alex Medina plan an attack.
The general strikes back. The announcement was made last Sunday, on the same day it reached the P240-million mark, officially breaking even at the tills: Jerrold Tarog’s “Heneral Luna” would return to SM Cinemas nationwide on Monday.
(A local film needs to earn three times its production budget since earnings are divided among theater owners, taxes and producers. Since “Heneral Luna” cost P80 million, it needed to earn at least P240 million to recoup producers’ investment.)
READ: ‘Heneral Luna’ earns P240 million, breaks even
Before its supporters could bring out the bubbly, however, a reality check is in order: Its fate in SM Cinemas depended on whether it could fill up theaters as it could be pulled out any time.
That is why it’s understandable that actor John Arcilla, who played the film’s titular general, gave credit to the audience for the independently produced historical epic’s success—in spite of competition provided by big studio movies like “Etiquette for Mistresses” and “Felix Manalo.”
Arcilla, who is currently in Europe, told the Inquirer via Facebook Messenger: “The viewers took ownership of the film. They saw themselves in the film.”
Producer and scriptwriter EA Rocha called the movie a “game changer.”
“More importantly, I hope our film will herald a new wave of producers: fearless and mission-oriented,” he added.
JOHN Arcilla as Gen. Antonio Luna RAFFY LONGASA
The battlefield has become bigger for the general. “Heneral Luna” will have several screenings in the United States, too.
On Oct. 30, it will open at the AMC Empire in New York, New York, and the Loews Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
On Nov. 6, it will open in several cities: West Covina, Ontario, Union City, Vallejo, Salinas, Oceanside, Elk Grove, Milpitas, San Bruno, Temecula, Richmond, Orange, Oxnard, Carson, Chula Vista and San Diego (California); Las Vegas and Reno (Nevada); Anchorage (Alaska); Houston, Grapevine and Plano (Texas); Tukwila (Washington); Virginia Beach, Alexandria and Norfolk (Virginia); Jacksonville and Tampa (Florida); Rockford and Woodridge (Illinois); Inver Grove Heights (Minnesota); Columbus (Ohio); Southfield (Michigan); Wauwatosa (Wisconsin); and Gaithersburg (Maryland).
“The patriotism of Filipinos abroad seems deeper … . They feel strongly … about the political crises back home,” said Arcilla.
“Heneral Luna” was chosen as the country’s entry in the best foreign language film category of next year’s Academy Awards.