'Heneral Luna' competes with 70 films for a Golden Globe nomination

Jerrold Tarog's unexpected hit historical bio-epic "Heneral Luna" has taken its first step on the road to the Golden Globes. The film, which has been submitted for an Academy Award nomination, is also on the long list of Foreign Film entries for the Golden Globe Awards 2015.

Out of 71 movies, 5 will be announced as official nominees on December 10. A total of 46 countries are competing for the slots. Other Asian entries include:

• Gone With the Bullets (China)
• How To Win At Checkers (Every Time) (Thailand)
• Men Who Save the World (Malaysia)
• Monk Comes Down the Mountain (China)
• Mountains May Depart (China)
• Our Little Sister (Japan)
• To the Fore (Hong Kong)
• Wolf Totem (China)

The winner will be announced on January 10, 2016. 

The movie's success was a surprise, even for its cast and crew. In the official Golden Globes website, writer Ruben V. Nepales touts "Heneral Luna" as an "anomally" in a country "where romantic comedy, melodrama and action/adventure genres rule." 

Inspired by the positive critical and commercial response, Tarog, writer E.A. Rocha, and producer Fernando Ortigas are now planning the sequels. The immediate follow up, which focuses on Gregorio del Pilar, is expected to be released in 2018. —AT, GMA News