October free screenings of film on PH-American War

CHICAGO— “Amigo,” the 2011 film based on the events of the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902 will highlight the month-long commemoration of this year’s Filipino American History Month in the Greater Chicago area.

This work of acclaimed writer-director John Sayles will be shown at the Central United Methodist Church Log Cabin, 8237 Kenton Avenue, Skokie, Illinois, on Saturday, October 28 at 5 p.m. and at the Indian Prairie Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien, Illinois on Sunday, October 29, at 2 p.m.  Free admission and parking for both events.

Seating is limited to 30 for the Skokie screening which is jointly sponsored by the Central UMC Methodist Men and the Central USA Knights of Rizal. Refreshment will be served.  For reservation, call Mariano “Anong” Santos at 847-528-4991.

Second screening is sponsored by the Filipino American Association of South DuPage (FAASD) with a photo exhibit about the Filipino American History. Ample seating and parking but RSVP is requested. Call Jose Solaria at 630-915-5956.

The film debuted six years ago to highly favorable reviews.  Oscar winning actor Chris Cooper plays a washed-up American officer is joined by a very able cast of Filipino actors led by Joel Torre (in the title role), Rio Locsin and Bembol Roco.

The screenplay draws mostly from actual events from the first colonial war of the U.S. which was long hidden from the pages of history. Sayles recreated the village of San Isidro in film location in Bohol where a 1900 setting was still available.

Extensive reviews of “Amigo” including from those of the New York Times, TIME Magazine, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune can be downloaded online. A brief discussion of the film will follow the screening. “’Amigo’ is a very good primer on shedding light on the long hidden chapter of the Philippine  and American history books,” says Ruben Salazar of the Chicago Pilipino American Historical Society.