"Yellow Rose" Opens Friday, October 9 at U.S. Movie Theaters Nationwide from Sony Pictures

2019 was noted as the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Cinema with the theatrical release of Jose Nepomuceno's "Dalagang Bukid” on September 12, 1919 in the Philippines. Based on a popular and critically raved musical play by Hemogenes Ilagan and Leon Ignacio, “Dalagang Bukid” is the first Filipino albeit, silent film produced in the Philippines, and Nepomuceno became known as the Father of Philippine Cinema.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has been designated as the lead agency for the celebration of the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema from September 12, 2019 to September 11, 2020.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 622 Series of 2018, the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema was declared in honor of “Dalagang Bukid” by Jose Nepomuceno, considered the first Filipino-produced and directed feature film when it was released in September 12, 1919. The One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in honor of the journey of this incredible art form and cultural marker. Film is a part of every Filipino as one of the most accessible and affective mediums that tell our stories, struggles, victories, and our growth as a people.

Just one month shy after celebrating the Philippines' film industry's Centennial Year, YELLOW ROSE written and directed by Diane Paragas will open this Friday, October 9, 2020 and release nationwide in U.S theaters. It is one of the first Filipino-lead films to be released by a major U.S. studio -  Sony Pictures.

In an interview with Deadline, Paragas said, “I am so humbled that our film has been chosen for this honor.” She continues, “Yellow Rose” has taken over fifteen years to make and it couldn’t come at a more important time when anti-immigrant sentiment is at an all-time high. This is a story for everyone facing challenges in finding their voice, their dreams and, more importantly, their home.”

Along with Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway icon Lea Salonga, Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada (Hadestown, Miss Saigon) in the lead role (her feature film debut) about a headstrong Filipino girl from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music star while facing the threat of deportation.

From a Teen Vogue interview, "Yellow Rose" has a special place in Eva Noblezada's heart for being able to be that Filipino representation she craved for. “It's also a great way for Filipino-Americans to have representation in America right now because I didn't have that sh*t growing up,” Eva says, “For me, it was finally a chance, where I felt like this made sense. This is my story, this is the girl next door's story. This is the girl in the Philippines' story. This is a Filipino story.”

Joining Salonga and Noblezada in the film are country music star Dale Watson, Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez (“The Walking Dead”), Libby Villari (“Boyhood”) and Princess Punzalan (“Mula Sa Puso”). The film features original songs written by Watson, Paragas, Noblezada and the cast.

Paragas also serves as producer alongside Cecilia Mejia, Orian Williams, Rey Cuerdo (“Ulam: Main Dish,” “Motherland”) and co- producer Jeremiah Abraham. “Yellow Rose” is supported by New York-based Asian CineVision, Cinematografo Originals (ABS-CBN Global), and was awarded the Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant last year by the New York Women in Film & Television.

As a Community Partner, members of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Hollywood were in attendance at the film's Opening Night Premiere at the 35th Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May, 2019.. The Aratani Theater was packed and sold out. Everyone, especially Filipino Americans, young and old, eagerly waited for the film to begin. 

At the Closing Night Ceremonies, "Yellow Rose" won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Film while its lead actress, Eva Noblezada won the Breakthrough Performance Award ... and deservingly so.

Buy Tickets Here: www.goldopen.com
For Showtimes Near You: http://www.yellowrosefilm.com/showtimes  

Be part of an exclusive Gold Open Q&A featuring Yellow Rose's director Diane Paragas and stars Eva Noblezada, Lea Salonga, and Dale Watson, and moderated by Jazz Tangcay (Variety) on Facebook Live presented by Gold House and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE). It will be held Friday evening, October 9 from 7pm (PDT) to 8pm (PDT). -     www.facebook.com/events/3143019192474714/