Relentless visionary

(From PDI-Entertainment’s Indie Bravo supplement, published Dec. 9.)

LAV DIAZ

'Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan'

Visionary filmmaker Lav Diaz’s nonconformist ways have challenged viewers and distributors of his socially-aware works, which often run considerably longer than “traditional” movies.

Some of Diaz’s acclaimed films include “Batang West Side,” “Death in the Land of Encantos” and “Melancholia”—all winners in film fests abroad. His most recent victories include the NETPAC Award for “Florentina Hubaldo, CTE” at the Jeonju International Film Festival last year; and the top prize at the Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival for “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” this year.

He observes that the local indie scene continues to show progress: “Bawat region, naglalabas ngayon ng pelikula. May deluge. It shows that maganda ang nangyayari.”

He is currently filming “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon (From What is Before)” in the Babuyan Islands. It’s a particularly tough shoot, Diaz admits. “Araw-araw, umuulan, ang lamig, maputik!”

One of the original Indie Bravo! honorees in 2010, Diaz acknowledges his inclusion this year: “Mabuhay ang Indie Bravo! It’s another forum for Philippine independent cinema.” Oliver Pulumbarit