THE PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011: An independent film about an indie filmmaking that has met both critical and commercial acclaim. Sounds too good to be true? It gets better. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank), directed by Publicis Manila President and Chief Creative Officer Marlon Rivera and written by Chris Martinez, is now the country’s contender in the Foreign Language Film category of the Academy Awards.
The news first came out via the social networks of members of the production and was also revealed to pep.ph by a source from the Film Academy of the Philippines, which deliberates the Philippine entry to the Oscars. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank was part of the six initial films that were considered, among them Rosario, Senior Year, Presa, Dalaw, and Ikaw ang Pag-ibig. Two additional films made it to the list—Thelma and Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington—both of started screenings this month.
Ang Babae sa Septic Tank raked in various awards at the Cinemalaya film festival, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress and Audience Choice. Through distributor Star Cinema, it also had a successful cinema run, grossing P20 M in the first five days alone.
Several countries have revealed the films they are sending to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The final list of Oscar nominees will be revealed in January 2012, while the 84th Academy Awards will be held on February 26, 2012.
