Lav’s movie competes in Venice Filmfest

MANILA, Philippines - With a running time of three hours and 47 minutes, Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left), directed by Lav Diaz (inset) who is noted for films that run for hours (Hele, more than eight hours), has made it to the Main Competition of the 2016 Venice Film Festival, set for Aug. 31 to Sept. 10 in Lido, Venice. It’s his third time to compete in the same festival, the first two for the Orizzonti Section and this is his first in the Main Competition.

Cinema One Originals and Sine Olivia-produced movie Ang Babaeng Humayo marks the comeback of Charo Santos (two photos above).

“Congratulations to direk Lav Diaz for bringing honor and pride to our country once again. I am very proud and humbled to be part of this extraordinary film and excited for our Kapamilyas to watch it,” said Charo.

The movie was shot almost entirely in Calapan, Mindoro, Charo’s hometown. It revolves around Horacia Somorostro, a woman whose life has become an imprisonment with all its spins and randomness that made it very difficult, vicious and inexplicable.

“The story is inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s God Sees the Truth But Waits,” said Lav, also the film’s editor and cinematographer. “What really struck me when I read it was that none of us really understands life. We don’t really know. This is one of the most essential truths of existence. And more often, we abide and succumb to life’s randomness.”

Joining Santos in the cast are John Lloyd Cruz, Michael de Mesa, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Marj Lorico, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Lao Rodriguez, Jean Judith Javier, Mae Paner and Kakai Bautista.

Asked how Charo is in the movie (for which she shot for 11 days), Lav texted The STAR: “She was great, totally immersing herself in the character she portrayed. Of course, she had a lot of apprehension. But that’s understandable because of her long absence. But the film is an affirmation of the commitment she put in it. She was just amazing.”

In the late ‘70s, Charo won Best Actress at the Asian Film Festival for her performance in the Mike de Leon classic Itim.