Manuel Conde’s ‘Genghis Khan’ to screen at MoMA Oct 12 &17
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) will screen Manuel Conde’s newly-restored Filipino classic film “Genghis Khan” on October 12 at 4 p.m. and October 17 at 7 p.m.
The screening is part of MoMA’s To Save and Protect International Festival of Film.
Filmed in 1950, “Genghis Khan” was co-directed by Conde and Lou Salvador, with screenplay written by Conde. The movie stars Elvira Reyes, Inday Jalandoni, Jose Villafranca and Salvador. Conde had made 17 films before landing a breakout international hit with “Genghis Khan,” the first Filipino film to show at the Venice Film Festival. It was at this prestigious event that the epic film was picked up for American theatrical distribution, and it played to great success on the repertory circuit for the next quarter century, according to a MOMA’s website.
“Genghis Khan” is a biopic of the early days of the Mongol leader, still known under his peasant name Temujin (and played by Conde himself), as he ascends to power through bloody land struggles and daring acts of vengeance. The film was a noted favorite of the novelist and critic James Agee, who wrote a narration for American audiences to help explain the original Tagalog dialogue and historical details, said the statement.
The film was restored in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines/National Film Archive of the Philippines and the La Biennale di Venezia. Restoration was done by L’Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna.
To Save and Project, MoMA’s international film preservation festival, celebrates gloriously preserved masterworks and rediscoveries of world cinema. This year’s festival comprises over 35 films from 13 countries, virtually all of them having their New York premieres, with some shown in versions never before seen in the United States.
For details on screenings and tickets, visit www.moma.org
As a movie buff I do look forward to see this classic Filipino film at the MOMA.