'Metro Manila' is UK’s bet to Best Foreign Language Film Oscar
After Singapore chose “Ilo Ilo,” the story of a loyal Filipina nanny and her now-grownup Singaporean wards as its submission to the Best Foreign Language Movie category of the coming Oscars, another country chose a Filipino-themed film as its entry to the prestigious awards derby.
The film is “Metro Manila,” which the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) chose to represent the United Kingdom (UK) in the Best Foreign Language Movie category of the Oscars.
“Metro Manila” tells the story of Oscar Ramirez (played by Jake Macapagal) who goes to Metro Manila thinking that his family will have a better life.
How it started
Celine Lopez, one of the film’s producers told Yahoo Philippines OMG! in a phone interview that work on “Metro Manila” started six years ago, when its director, British filmmaker Sean Ellis, visited the Philippines for the first time.
“Sean saw an armored truck in front of a mall and he was intrigued by what he saw in the city. That’s how the story started.”
They stayed in touch and talked about the film when Lopez lived in London for a while. Lopez added that Ellis has fallen in love with the Philippines since.
She proudly reports that “Metro Manila” was the only choice for UK’s entry to the Foreign Langugage Oscars.
“The British Film Council has a lot of films so it’s such an honor that they chose us.”
Lopez thinks it’s because “Metro Manila” brings everyone back to the time when film was all about a good script, very talented actors (all of the cast members are Filipinos who come mostly from theater) and “a union of creative talent.”
She is proud to say that the film “has no short cuts, no cheap tricks.”
The entire dialogue is in Filipino.
Macapagal, who has attended the screenings for “Metro Manila” all over the world, notes that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who saw the film were concerned about its probable effect on tourism because it shows the ugly side of Metro Manila.
“It’s reality. It’s not something we should be ashamed of.”
Macapagal thinks people should instead appreciate the film’s way of showing Filipinos’ “good faith, and the sacrifices they do for the family.”
JM Rodriguez, whose character jumps from the plane after it is hijacked, says they never had an inkling “Metro Manila” will win the the World Cinema audience award at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
“Nagulat kami,” he says. JM also said that Ellis emailed him the good news about the UK selection and asked him to spread the word.
Filipinos will finally have the chance to see the film when it is shown in the country starting Wednesday, Oct. 9, with a premiere showing on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Meanwhile, Hannah Espia's "Transit", is the Philippines' entry to the Oscars.
