1998 'Jose Rizal' film to stream on Netflix this Dec. 30
The multi-awarded 1998 film Jose Rizal is making its way to Netflix.
In honor of Rizal Day, the late director Marilou Diaz-Abaya's acclaimed film Jose Rizal will have a major re-release on Dec. 30.
The streaming giant has already listed the film in the platform's "Coming Soon" section.
Starring Cesar Montano as Dr. Jose Rizal, the film chronicles the life and martyrdom of the Philippine national hero.
At the time of its release, the movie made cinematic history as the biggest-budgeted Filipino film ever (P80 million).
It won 17 of the Metro Manila Film Festival awards in 1998, including Best Film, Best Actor,
Recently, the film has been remastered and released by GMA Pictures. It was screened at the 2024 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last August 7 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, and as part of the MMFF's 50th anniversary celebration, Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta, in September.
After the Cinemalaya film showing, Montano became emotional after seeing it again.
"Naiiyak pa rin ako. Sobrang ganda ng pagkakasulat. Napaka-genius ng pag-direct. Natutuwa ako because of this newly restored version, nalulungkot lang na wala si Direk Marilou to witness it," Montano told the media.
