Sunday May 16, 2010 - for immediate release
A five-city tour of Canada by the creators of the award-winning Philippine political thriller, Dukot (Abduct!), got off to a successful start with intense media coverage and three film screenings in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this past weekend.
The tour is organized by Philippine community and solidarity organizations in Canada in conjunction with the film's Philippine producers.
A packed house at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall at the University of Winnipeg stayed after the film, Friday, May 14, for an animated Q&A period with screenwriter Boni Ilagan, lead actor Allen Dizon, as well a real-life torture and abduction survivor, Filipino-American Melissa Roxas.
Leading up the screening, Ilagan and Dizon were interviewed by CKFJ, CJOB and CBC radio and were guests at a reception hosted by Dr. Lloyd Axworthy at the University of Winnipeg. They are to meet with Manitoba premier, Greg Selinger, on Monday, May 17.
Dukot is based on the stories of real life desparecidos (the disappeared) as well as the first-hand experience of scriptwriter Boni Ilagan, a former political detainee who was twice forcibly abducted. The film provides a powerful filmgoing experience while revealing the reality of the forced disappearances and ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines.
The film has already won awards for Best film, Best Director (Joel Lamangan), Best Story (Ilagan) & Best Actor for Dizon at the "8th Gawad Tanglaw Awards" along with a Best Actress Award for Iza Calzado and Best Original Song, "Mahal Kita Habambuhay," (lyrics - Boni Ilagan; arrangement - Lucien Letaba) at the "Golden Screen Awards" in the Philippines.
Many people in the audience were deeply touched by the story of Melissa Roxas, who was abducted and tortured in the Philippines in 2009, but has bravely decided to reveal what happened to her so that it will not happen to others.
The film tour will now proceed to Toronto (two screenings Saturday, May 22), Ottawa (screening Thursday, May 27), Montréal (screenings Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30) and concluding in Vancouver with screenings on Thursday, June 3, Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, 2010.
For more information about the film tour please check out the following Facebook connections or local contacts:
Toronto: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=115268951834310&ref=ts
Jonathan Canchela - +1 647.833.1023
Chris Sorio - +1 416.828.0441
Email: migrantecanada@gmail.com
Ottawa: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107805302596428&ref=ts
Tickets are available at Octupus Books, Divisoria Market and at Exile Info Shop
Montréal: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=115927711778484&ref=ts or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=112680278769954&ref=ts
Vancouver: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=112315895472833
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