Author Paulo Coelho raves about Brillante Mendoza's 'Kinatay'

MANILA, Philippines — Brazilian author Paulo Coelho took to social media to rave about the 2009 award-winning Filipino film “Kinatay.”

Coelho said that Brillante Mendoza’s “Kinatay” is “one of the most disturbing movies” he watched this year.

He lathered on praises on the Cannes-winning movie: “Great screenplay, director, actors.”

One of the most disturbing movies I watched in 2018 - great screenplay, director, actors. A Filipino movie that, if it was directed by Tarantino, would be shortlisted for the Oscar. pic.twitter.com/78hdk5SoCH

— Paulo Coelho ?? (@paulocoelho) December 27, 2018

“Kinatay” is a 2009 independent film written by Armando Lao and directed by Mendoza. It premiered at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.

The film is centered on a criminology student, played by Coco Martin, who went on to work as an errand boy for a local syndicate. It depicted torture, beheading and dismemberment.

The film drew mixed reactions from festival watchers.

The author said that if the movie had been directed by Quentin Tarantino — known for his strong hand in crime thriller genre — it could made it to the shortlist for the Academy Awards.

Tarantino is an American director whose works include "Kill Bill," "Inglorious Basterds" and "Django Unchained."

Mendoza bagged the Best Director Award for “Kinatay” in 62nd Cannes Film Festival. The film also won award at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain in the same year.

Coelho is known for this works “The Alchemist,” “By the River Piedra I Sat down and Wept,” “Veronika Decides to Die,” among others. — Kristine Joy Patag