Internationally acclaimed Filipino independent filmmaker Lav Diaz’ film “Ang Babaeng Humayo” (“The Woman Who Left”) won the prestigious Golden Lion for Best Film, the highest honor given at the 73rd Venice Film Festival last Saturday (September 10).
“This is for my country, for the Filipino people, for our struggle and the struggle of humanity,” said Diaz in his acceptance speech.
Produced by ABS-CBN’s Cinema One Originals and Diaz’ Sine Olivia, “Ang Babaeng Humayo” tells the story of Horacia (Charo Santos), a woman seeking revenge after being convicted for decades for a crime she didn’t commit.
This is the first time the Philippines won in the Venice Film Festival, which is considered one of most prestigious in the world like the Cannes Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival.
Variety’s film critic Guy Lodge, in a review, said “The latest supersized opus from Filipino maximalist Lav Diaz is a powerful and, by his standards, refreshingly contained moral study.”
“Ang Babaeng Humayo” also marks the movie comeback of former ABS-CBN president and now chief content officer Charo Santos, who also earned positive reviews from critics for her role in the nearly four-hour long film.
In an article written by Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter, Charo was praised for her “majestic” and “sturdy” performance. Variety’s Lodge, meanwhile, tweeted “Woman Who Left star Charo Santos is the real Oscar frontrunner.”
The movie also stars award-winning actor John Lloyd Cruz in another must-see and daring performance.
Lav, Charo, John Lloyd, and Cinema One head Ronald Arguelles represented the country at the Venice Film Festival and attended various functions such as press conference, red carpet premiere, and the awards gala.
Also part of the cast are Michael de Mesa, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Marj Lorico, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Lao Rodriguez, Jean Judith Javier, Mae Paner, and Kakai Bautista.