'Jose Rizal' restored, remastered film to screen this August on Cinemalaya

The iconic 1998 film "Jose Rizal" has been digitally restored and remastered for today's audiences!

The film, which stars Cesar Montano as Rizal, will be part of this year's Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

It will have gala screening at the Manila Metropolitan Theater on August 7. The event will be graced by the family of its late director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, writer Ricky Lee, and its cast members.

"Jose Rizal" won 17 awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival 1998, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.

Aside from Cesar, the "Jose Rizal" cast members include Jaime Fabregas, Chin Chin Gutierrez, Mickey Ferriols, Ronnie Lazaro, Gloria Diaz, Pen Medina, Gina Alajar, Tony Mabesa, Jhong Hilario, and more.

The film follows the Filipino hero during his imprisonment in Fort Santiago until his execution at the hands of the Spaniards, peppered with flashbacks of key moments in his life as well as some scenes from his two novels, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."

Cinemalaya 2024 will run from August 2 to 7. GMA Pictures and GMA Entertainment's "Balota" starring Marian Rivera is competing as one of the 10 finalists in the full-length films category.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News