Cinema
Genghis Khan
Manuel Conde · 1950
Synopsis
The rise of the young Temüjin, son of an assassinated chief, who survives the humiliations of childhood, imposes himself through force and cunning on the rival chiefs of the steppe tribes and gathers them under his authority, until he is proclaimed Genghis Khan; the film keeps to this youth and leaves the conquests off screen.
Context
The film was produced, directed and played in the title role by its author, with Lou Salvador as co-director, on a budget of one hundred and twenty-five thousand pesos and equipment that was already outdated. Carlos Francisco, a painter whom the Philippines would later make a national artist, co-wrote the screenplay and designed the costumes and sets, which Conde's wife made. For lack of Mongol mounts, the horses of Manila's carriages were used. The American writer James Agee spoke the commentary of the international version.
Who it is for
Eighty-eight minutes in Tagalog. The restored copy in circulation carries the English commentary added for foreign audiences, which in places covers the original dialogue.
Prizes and reception
The first Filipino film shown at a major international festival, at Venice in 1952, and the first that United Artists distributed worldwide.