Jaclyn Jose in a scene from “Ma’ Rosa.”
“MA’ Rosa,” one of the films of the internationally-acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza will be the country’s official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the prestigious 89th Academy Awards that will be held in Los Angeles in February next year.
Leo Martinez, who is part of the Film Academy of the Philippines’ selection committee for the Oscars, has confirmed the news in an Inquirer report.
Brillante, who heard about his film getting chosen to compete in the Oscars, told the Inquirer that he is happy with the news.
Last May, Jaclyn Jose won best actress in the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival in France for playing the titular character in “Ma’ Rosa.”
The movie is currently shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.
According to the Inquirer report, the film has inked a deal with Film Distribution, which also distributed Laszlo Nemes’ “Son of Saul,” which won for Hungary, the best foreign language film trophy at the 88th Academy Awards.
Film makers Edgardo Vinarao (chairperson), Jose Carreon and Mike Sandejas, screenwriter and producer Ed Rocha, cinematographer Lee Meily and actors Michael de Mesa and Cherie Gil are among the members of the special committee tasked to select the Philippine entry.
Early this month, nine movies were shortlisted as possible Philippine entries to the Academy Awards. These were Joel Lamangan’s “Felix Manalo,” Jun Robles Lana’s “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan,” Erik Matti’s “Honor Thy Father,” Lav Diaz’s “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis,” Paul Soriano’s “Dukot,” Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” Gil Portes’ “Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli,” Roderick Cabrido’s “Tuos,” and Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa.”
“Ma’ Rosa” star Jaclyn Jose, who became the first Filipino to win the best actress award at the Cannes International Film Festival. The movie tells the story of a mother who runs a sari-sari store and sells drugs on the side with her husband to make ends meet. The couple gets arrested, leaving their four children to try and buy their parents’ freedom from corrupt policemen.