Truly, genius knows no bounds.
Decorated Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz’s newest masterpiece, Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left), won the coveted Golden Lion prize at the 73rd Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sun, Sep 11 (Manila time).
“My head is spinning right now, it’s unbelievable… This is for my country, for the Filipino, for the struggle of humanity. Thank you,” Diaz said in his acceptance speech for the film festival’s equivalent of a Best Picture prize.
The film marks the return of Charo Santos to the limelight following her nearly 20-year acting hiatus. She is currently the chief content officer of the country’s largest TV network, ABS-CBN.
READ: Lav Diaz and Charo Santos get rave reviews for ‘Ang Babaeng Humayo’
Ang Babaeng Humayo bested 19 other films, including major Hollywood productions. This year’s eight-member jury was led by British actor and director Sam Mendes.
The 228-minute opus tells the story of Horacia Somorostro (played by Charo Santos), a school teacher who was wrongly jailed for 30 years. When someone else confessed to the crime, Horacia was released, only to find out that her husband has died, her daughter left and her son is missing.
“After going through so much pain in life, how does one begin to appreciate the inherent goodness in man again?” Santos described the film.
Even before winning the prestigious top prize, Ang Babaeng Humayo was already receiving rave reviews from film critics abroad.
Ang Babaeng Humayo stars Michael de Mesa, John Lloyd Cruz, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Marj Lorico, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Lao Rodriguez, Jean Judith Javier, Mae Paner and Kakai Bautista. It is produced by Sine Olivia and Cinema One Originals.
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