MANILA, Philippines - Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos? ?Selda? has been invited to the 32nd Montreal World Film Festival, which runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 1.

?We were surprised,? director Villaluna told Inquirer Entertainment. ?It?s overwhelming?especially because ?Selda? is the first Filipino film to compete in Montreal?s main [World] section.?

(?Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros? won the Golden Zenith award in Montreal?s First Films category of in 2005.)

Villaluna and Ramos received a letter from Daniele Cauchard, MWFF general director, informing them of the inclusion of ?Selda? in one of the oldest festivals in Canada.

Urian nods

The invitation comes hot on the heels of the movie?s six nominations in the forthcoming Urian critics? awards derby?including Best Director, Actor (for Sid Lucero) and Supporting Actor (for Emilio Garcia).

?That a lot of Filipino movies are being invited abroad can only mean that we are now back in the radar of world cinema,? said Ramos.

?There?s a clear global acceptance for Filipino films,? said Villaluna. ?This is good for the entire local movie community.?

Ramos said they hope to attend the festival.

She related that they?ve just finished retooling the film to meet Montreal?s requirements. ?From two hours and 40 minutes, we cut it down to two hours.?

Villaluna added that they?ve also received invitations from other festivals like Moscow, but they have chosen Montreal for the film?s international premiere.

?We are taking it one festival at a time,? he noted.

?Selda? tells the story of a married ex-convict (Lucero) who gets a visit from a former cellmate and lover (Garcia).

?We?re happy that the film transcended the gay genre,? Villaluna insisted. ?This is not just a gay film.?

?It?s a film about the complexity of human relationships,? said Ramos.

?Selda? is competing with 19 other films in Montreal.

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