MANILA – September 25, 2013 – With its dark alleys and shady characters, Manila will be going to next year’s Oscars as British filmmaker Sean Ellis’ Metro Manila has been selected as the UK’s official submission in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts chose Metro Manila, which tells the story of Oscar Ramirez and his family’s escape from an impoverished, provincial life. They move to the bustling capital, only to discover an even harsher reality.
Michael Rosser wrote on Screen Daily that Metro Manila would not have been eligible under the BAFTA’s old rules, as neither the film’s location nor language were of the UK. However, the rule was changed in 2005, Rosser wrote.
Shot in Manila with a local cast and crew, the film features Jake Macapagal, Althea Vega, John Arcilla, Miles Canapi, Ana Abad Santos, and Moises Magisa.
Ellis, who wrote and directed the film, told Damon Wise that making the film was "a big adventure."
Sharing how he was inspired on a trip to the Philippines, Ellis said in The Guardian: "I didn’t know anything about the place. I was quite blown away. It felt very vibrant and rich. It’s one of the few places left where you can still get a culture shock – it took me a while to get used to seeing traffic wardens with shotguns. And while I was there, I witnessed this scene: two armored-truck drivers having an argument by their vehicle. It ended with one of them kicking the truck, then they drove off."
Ellis remortgaged his house and came to the Philippines, assembling a multi-tasking crew to work on the film.
Metro Manila bagged the audience award at Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered in January.
The 86th Academy Awards will be on March 2, 2014.
