Filipino film maker Lav Diaz holds the Golden Lion award for his movie “Ang Babaeng Humayo” (The woman who left) during the awards ceremony of the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Sept. 10, 2016 (AP).
FILIPINOS are now beaming with pride as another local film, “Ang Babaeng Humayo” has bagged another award at the recently concluded 73rd Venice International Film Festival.
The film of internationally acclaimed director Lav Diaz, “Ang Babaeng Humayo” has went home the top prize, the Golden Lion award from the film fest, a historic first for the country.
Topbilled by stars Charo Santos and John Lloyd Cruz, it is the first Filipino film to win the highest accolade in the world’s oldest film festival, a second win for Lav in the Venice film festival.
“I feel so honored and proud to be part of this special project,” Charo told Inquirer in a report.
Lav’s movie “Death in the Land of Encantos” previously won a special mention in the Orizzonti section (special section that highlights “new trends in cinema) in 2007 and the Orizzonti award itself for “Melancholia” in 2008.
His recent three and a half hour film, which is considered shorter than his previous entries, has kept his winning streak at the Venice International Film Festival.
It follows the story of the motherly school teacher, wrongfully convicted of murder and imprisoned for 30 years, as she plots against her nemesis, a former lover.
The film was shot in the Mindoro.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Pamilya Ordinaryo” won the BNL People’s Choice Award in the 13th Venice Days tilt, an autonomous section of the same film festival.
Roy, who is in Italy, told the Inquirer via Facebook Messenger that BNL stands for “Bank National Labor,” major sponsor of the award. “But the audience voted for the winner,” added Roy, who explained that the award came as “a surprise.”
“Our film was the last to be screened in the section,” he recounted, adding that he didn’t expect to bring home the trophy—his first time to win an award given by the audience.
The award was presented to the “Pamilya Ordinaryo” team led by actors Ronwaldo Martin and Hasmine Killip, during a ceremony held at the Filmmakers’ Villa on Friday.
“Pamilya Ordinaryo” previously won best picture, director, actress, editing, and Netpac (Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema) jury prize at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last month.