PHILIPPINES, AUGUST 26, 2010 – Multi-awarded independent Hollywood film director John Sayles premiered his much-anticipated international film, Amigo, yesterday at the Rockwell cinemas. Initially titled Baryo, the film is produced by Maggie Renzi. Shot on location in Bohol and boasting a cast and crew from Hollywood and the Philippines, Sayles’ 17th feature film revolves around the American colonization of the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century.
Sayles, who was was present at the screening with Renzi, was thoroughly impressed with the Filipino actors and crew members. Among them are respected names in local entertainment: Joel Torre, Pen Medina, John Arcilla, Ronnie Lazaro, and Rio Locsin. The director was so confident with the talent he found here that instead of bringing the film back to Hollywood for posting, Sayles relied on RoadRunner Network Inc. for posting. Amigo was fully posted at RoadRunner, from offline, RIS, grading and online to sound and kinescoping; the music was recorded at Hit Productions. The result is a movie that parallels current world events, proving that Sayles still is, in the words of Piers Handling, "the conscience of American cinema".
Amigo will next be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
