'Bwakaw' Selected as Philippines' Oscar Entry

HONG KONG – Director Jun Robles Lana’s recent Toronto entry Bwakaw has been selected to represent the Philippines in the best foreign language film category at the 85^th Academy Awards.

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The film is repped internationally by Fortissimo Films.

The Film Academy of the Philippines announced the selection of the drama-comedy, which stars 83-year-old Filipino action star and comedian Eddie Garcia -- affectionately known as Manoy or “elder brother” in his native country -- as a gay man who came out of the closet at 70. 

Bwakaw was released in the Philippines on Sept. 5 after making its domestic debut at the country’s Cinemalaya Film Festival in July, and made its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival under the Contemporary World Cinema Section. 

Written and directed by Jun Robles Lana (Yesterday Today Tomorrow), the film will also be featured at the New York Film Festival later this month.