Mindanao (film)

Mindanao is a 2019 Philippine drama film directed by Brillante Mendoza starring Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon. It was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Synopsis.
Saima (Judy Ann Santos) cares for her cancer-stricken daughter Aisa (Yuna Tangog) while she awaits her husband Malang (Allen Dizon) to come home who serves as a combat medic deployed in the southern Philippines. Their struggle is juxtaposed with the folklore of Rajah Indara Patra and Rajah Sulayman, the sons of Sultan Nabi, who fights to stop a dragon devastating Lanao.
Production.
"Mindanao" was produced under Center Stage Production and was directed by Brillante Mendoza. It was produced by Mendoza and Carlo Valenzona. Diego Marx Dobles was responsible for the editing, Odyssey Flores for the cinematography while Teresa Barrozo provided direction for the film's music. Mendoza himself also was behind the film's production design.
Prior to making the film director Brillante Mendoza researched about Mindanao. Since the film involved the Maguindanaon folklore of Rajah Indara Patra and Rajah Sulayman the film was initially known under the working title of "Maguindanao" but the title of the film was changed to "Mindanao" since the film's theme was deemed by Mendoza to be "bigger than Maguindanao". However he conceded that the issues affecting Mindanao is complex and the film's inability to fully present these issues to an audience.
Marketing.
Prior to the film's Busan release a music video featuring the film's theme song "Itadyak" by Maan Chua was released. It featured colorful dances and select scenic locations from the film.
Solar Pictures released the theatrical release poster for "Mindanao" in the Philippines on November 16, 2019.
Release.
"Mindanao" was first released outside the Philippines at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival on October 5, 2019 as part of the Icons category. It was also exhibited at the Tokyo on October 30, 2019. The film was also screened in film festivals in Egypt, Estonia, India, and Taiwan. The film premiered in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2019 as entry of the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival. Due to its critical success in the film festival's awarding night, the film organizers decided to sponsor the film's screening in future film festivals.