NEWSFLASH

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ALBERT MARTINEZ IS BEST ACTOR IN BRUSSELS FILMFEST

Manila, Nov. 11, 1998 - The prestigious Brussels International Film Festival held recently in Belgium awarded its Grand Jury Prize to the Filipino film RIZAL SA DAPITAN, a movie dramatizing the years spent in exile by national hero Jose Rizal. Albert Martinez, who played the role of the national hero, was chosen Best Actor for his convincing portrayal of Dr. Rizal.

The victory is the Philippines' first in said international filmfest, which gathered a total of 400 entries in all. The film's leading man, Albert Martinez, became the first Filipino male to win as Best Actor in the same festival held Nov. 3-8.

Two other Philippine-made films won honors at the festival, now on its 20th year. "Sa Pusod ng Dagat," a film about life in rural Philippines, won for Jun Lana the award for best screenplay, while "Minsan Lang Sila Bata," by short filmmaker Ditsi Carolino, won as best documentary.

"Rizal sa Dapitan," a film produced and directed by Tikoy Aguiluz, had earlier won numerous awards in the local movie industry, including best film and best actor and actress awards, respectively, for Martinez and his leading lady, Amanda Page, who played Josephine Bracken.

The 16 mm, 90-minute drama was produced by Movpix International, Inc. from a screenplay by Pete Lacaba. It was handpicked as the opening film in the festival which offered a Philippine Perspective for the first time.

Two other local feature films competed in the festival: Marilou Diaz-Abaya's "Sa Pusod ng Dagat" and Joel Lamangan's "Bakit May Kahapon Pa".

Arriving from Belgium, Aguiluz was ecstatic when he said, "This has been a good year for Philippine movies in the international scene. I'm glad that after the recognitions accorded my colleagues, like directors Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and Marilou Abaya, our film similarly made it. Nakahabol din kami."

After making a good impression in Brussels, "Rizal sa Dapitan" is now playing at another international festival in Greece.