Lav Diaz wins top prize in Locarno film festival

Director Lav Diaz, known for his long-running film masterpieces, has added another feather in his well-decorated cap. His five-and-a-half-hour film, “Mula Sa Kung Ang Noon (“From What is Before”) bagged the top prize at the 67th International Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.

Diaz’s actress, Filipina Hazel Orencio, also brought honor to the country by winning the Best Actess award, also in Locarno.

“Mula sa  Kung Ano Noon” is shot in black and white and is set in 1972. Loosely based on true-to-life events,  it shows life in a barrio on the eve of president Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law.

The annual Locarno Film Festival started in 1946 and is known for launching the careers of directors and actors.

Diaz, who led Locarno’s international competition jury in 2013, is a product of Mother Lily Monteverde’s pito-pito system, which compressed moviemaking to seven days.

In an article published in Bibsy M. Carballo’s book “Filipino Directors Up Close,” Diaz said that a recurring theme in his films is “reclaiming the Filipino soul.”

“I have faith that if we keep making meaningful films, the audience will eventually catch up with them,” he added.