Laguna gov under fire over unauthorized ‘Heneral Luna’ screening

The producers of the highly acclaimed historical epic “Heneral Luna” are set to take legal action against Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez and his office for supposedly holding unauthorized public screenings of the Jerrold Tarog film and “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo.”

Artikulo Uno productions said the governor’s office did not file a request or ask permission from them to hold the screening of their films on March 1 and 2.

“The producers even called and warned the office of the Governor and the local tourism office of Laguna prior to the viewing of Heneral Luna. Despite these warnings, however, they still proceeded with the screenings. While free to the public, these screenings were not authorized,” Artikulo Uno said in a statement dated March 10.

Artikulo Uno added that the material used for the illegal screening of “Bonifacio,” a 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival Entry starring Robin Padilla, is pirated since no official DVD of the film has been released yet.

The producers maintained that they own both movies, and all rights including public viewing are reserved under Artikulo Uno, Tuko Films, and Buchi Boy Entertainment.

“It has also been communicated through Heneral Luna’s official website as well as its various online and social media platforms (Facebook included) that the film and the members of its cast and production team cannot and will not be associated, connected or affiliated with any political party, event or candidate for any elective position,” the statement added.

READ: ‘Heneral Luna’ and Filipino audiences

The producers said they have decided to file appropriate civil and criminal complaints for copyright infringement against Hernandez and his office.

“Heneral Luna,” a film about the Filipino wartime general Antonio Luna which starred John Arcilla, had been chosen as the country’s bet to the 2016 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film but failed to make the cut. IDL

READ: ‘Heneral Luna’ misses Oscars shortlist