Soliman Cruz glad to have bagged big role in 'The Blind Soldiers' movie

Soliman Cruz

He is a year shy of becoming senior citizen but actor Soliman Cruz feels he has only started to hit his stride with his craft as he plays one of lead roles in "The Blind Soldiers."

The movie is about the life and times of CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat as well as our Muslim brothers.

"I feel lucky to have reached this point where I get to play lead role, even at my age," Cruz said in an interview held recently at Fiyo Bagi in Quezon City where the press conference for the movie was held. "I felt valued doing this film and certainly cared for by everyone---from my co-actors to the crew and producers."

He deserves it. Aside from enjoying longevity in the industry, and having a reputation for being one of the most lowkey and kindest actors around, Cruz excels at work.  He has won awards from the prestigious Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, FAP Awards, Gawad Urian Awards, CineFilipino Film Festival and Golden Screen Awards.

We asked "Blind Soldier" co-director Marinette Lusanta why they opted to finish the film through the height of the pandemic and all its protocols; and why they got lead actors who aren't really known for doing action movies. She said it's because they believe in the message of the film so much and that they wanted to give actors work most of whom, at the time, did not have one due to the situation. 

As for the lead actors, Lusanta said the roles call for it, thus, making Soliman and company perfect picks.

CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat with main cast of 'The Blind Soldiers' 

Based on true events, "The Blind Soldiers" is set in rural Mindanao, particularly in Malaybalay Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao Provinces, Cotobato City, and Upi, Mindanao. As the Japanese invasion intensifies, five men from the Teduray tribe of Cotobato enlisted in the United States of Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) during World War 2. 

What started as noble intentions soon turn out to be a nightmare when they realize the magnitude of the war they signed up for. Compounding their struggle further? They are all illiterate.

Their horrible experiences at USAFFE motivated them to send their children to school to get good formal education after the war. 

"Bravery, patriotism, and heroism are not determined by education," read the press statement on key takeaways from "The Blind Soldiers." "Surrender is not an option if you deeply love your country."

Cruz's co-actors are Long Mejia, Gary Lim, Bong Cabrera and Dr. Adamat himself; as well as Sue Prado, Jojit Lorenzo, Apollo Sheikh Abraham, Jaime Wilson and Zhiane Franco. 

The movie will be shown in selected SM Cinemas nationwide from Sept. 15 to 19. The premiere night is on Sept. 9 at SM City North EDSA.

This early, "The Blind Soldiers" is already a finalist at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival. It will be screened from Oct. 14 to 21 at Reel Attractions Theater, City of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Produced by Empowerment Film Productions, Inc., the movie has been given a Parental Guidance rating by the Movie Television Review and Classification Board.

Here are videos of our interview with Cruz as well as highlights of the press conference: