Lav Diaz

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Lav Diaz
Lavi Diaz-7798.jpg
Diaz at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Born
Lavrente Indico Diaz

(1958-12-30) December 30, 1958 (age 66)
Columbio, Cotabato, Philippines [a] [1]
Other namesBahagharing Timog [2]
Occupations
  • Filmmaker
  • film critic
Notable work

Lavrente Indico Diaz (born December 30, 1958) is a Filipino independent filmmaker and former film critic. [3] He is frequently known one of the key practitioners of the slow cinema genre, producing a diverse range of longest narrative films that explore social and political issues, minimalistic storytelling, long takes and cinematic boundaries.

Contents

Diaz started making films in the late 1990s. His first international exposure was at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 1999 with his directorial debut Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion (The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion). His first notable cinematic trademark were Batang West Side and Evolution of a Filipino Family , both were among the first longest films of his career. European film festivals caught media attention with Norte, the End of History (2013), which was entered into the Un Certain Regard section of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and received much critical praise.

Diaz is among one of the most critically acclaimed contemporary Filipino filmmakers, with his subsequent films have likewise received positive critical attention and many awards: From What Is Before won the Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival; A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery won the Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear) at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival; and The Woman Who Left won the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. He is a recipient of 2018's FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award and 2021's Natatanging Gawad Urian (Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award).

Early life

Diaz was born in Columbio, Cotabato. His childhood was marked by the violent conflicts between Muslim armed groups and the Philippine government. Due to the dangerous situation, his family moved to the more peaceful town of Tacurong where he finished his high school education. Diaz graduated in 1980 with an economics degree from Notre Dame University in Cotabato City. [1]

Career

Diaz went to Manila where began doing odd jobs for various publications and took up writing about music and film for a living. Then, he became a production assistant for Balintataw. For a time, he wrote comics as part of the editorial staff for Ang Masa and We Forum. [1]

Diaz worked as a critic for the Manila Standard newspaper in the late 1980s before moving to New York City to study filmmaking. [4] His Filipino-language short story, "Pula, Puti at Saka Blu at Marami Pang Kolor" (lit. 'Red, White and Also Blue and Many Other Colors'), which he wrote under the pseudonym Bahagharing Timog (lit. 'Southern Rainbow'), won 2nd place at the 1990 Palanca Awards under the category of Short Story - Filipino.

He has won several international awards such as the award for Best Picture at the Singapore International Film Festival, the Independent Film Festival of Brussels and Gawad Urian in 2002 and Netpac Jury Prize and Best Acting Ensemble (2001 Cinemanila International Film Festival) for his film Batang West Side (including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Music, Best Sound at the Urian), in Gawad Urian in 2005 for the film Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino (Evolution of a Filipino Family), and Special Jury Prize at the Fribourg International Film Festival in 2006 for Heremias, Book One.

His films often tackle the issues regarding the current social and political state of the Philippines. His film Kagadanan sa Banwaan ning mga Engkanto (Death in the Land of Encantos), the Closing Film of the orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival 2007, was awarded with a Golden Lion Special Mention. Death in the Land of Encantos was also in competition at the Artistic Innovation Award (Visions) of the Toronto International Film Festival 2007. He was three Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature recognitions (a second place (1990) and an honorable mention (1991) for short stories, and third place (1997) for screenplay). [5] His film Melancholia won the Orizzonti Grand Prize at the 65th Venice International Film Festival in 2008. In January 2011, he joined the board of directors for Cine Foundation International. [6]

He went back in 2011 at the Venice International Film Festival for his film Siglo ng Pagluluwal (Century of Birthing) [7] and which earned the Grand Jury Prize at the 13th Cinemanila International Film Festival. The following year, his film Florentina Hubaldo, CTE won Best Asian Film at the Jeonju International Film Festival [8] and gained the On-Screen Award at the Images Festival. [9]

His 2013 film Norte, the End of History was screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the 66th Cannes Film Festival. [10] He received the Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival for From What Is Before . At the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival, his film A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery was awarded the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize. In the same year, he also received the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival for The Woman Who Left .

Diaz has made crime stories, ghost stories and a musical. On the topic of genre Diaz has said, "It’s nice to dwell on genres because there are formulas there and you can work with them. But at the same time you’re free to break them." [11]

He is a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2010, the Prince Claus Award of the Netherlands in 2014 and The Radcliffe Fellowship of Harvard University, 2016–2017.

Diaz was invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a member in July 2017. [12]

Diaz presented his film, Essential Truths of the Lake, a sequel to When the Waves Are Gone , at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival out of competition. [13] Diaz's film, Phantosmia , premiered as an out-of-competition entry in the 81st Venice International Film Festival, his 8th film for the festival. [14] He mostly recently premiered his film Magellan starring Gael García Bernal at 2025 Cannes Film Festival out of competition. The film was selected as the Philippines' submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the best international feature film category. [15] Uniquely, he made his acting debut in an upcoming psychological horror film The Sacrifice along with cast Lovi Poe, Timothy Granaderos and Enchong Dee.

Political views

In December 2023, alongside 50 other filmmakers, Diaz signed an open letter published in Libération demanding a ceasefire and an end to the killing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, and for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to be established for humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages. [16] [17] [18]

Filmography

Feature film

YearEnglish TitleOriginal TitleAlso Credited asNotesLength
ProducerEditorCinematographer
1998 The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo ConcepcionNoNoNo Directorial debut [19] 132 min (2:12)
1999Burger BoysNoNoNo [20] 112 min (1:52)
Naked Under the MoonHubad sa Ilalim ng BuwanNoNoNo [21] 110 min (1:50)
2001West Side Avenue Batang West Side NoNoNo [22] 315 min (5:15)
2002Hesus the RevolutionaryHesus, RebolusyunaryoNoNoNo [20] 112 min (1:52)
2004 Evolution of a Filipino Family Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang PilipinoYesYesNo [23] 624 min (10:24)
2006 Heremias (Book One: Legend of the Lizard Princess) Heremias (Unang Aklat: Ang Alamat ng Prinsesang Bayawak)NoNoNo519 min (8:39)
2007Death in the Land of EncantosKagadanan Sa Banwaan Ning Mga EngkantoYesYesYes [24] 541 min (9:01)
2008 Melancholia YesYesYesAlso composer [25] 447 min (7:27)
2009Butterflies Have No MemoriesWalang Alaala ang mga Paru-ParoYesYesYes [26] 61 min (1:01)
2011Woman of the WindBabae ng HanginYesYesYesIncomplete
Century of BirthingSiglo ng PagluluwalYesYesYesalso composer [27] 359 min (5:59)
Elegy to the Visitor from the RevolutionElehiya sa Dumalaw Mula sa Himagsikan.YesYesYes [28] 80 min (1:20)
2012Florentina Hubaldo, CTEYesYesNo [29] 366 min (6:06)
2013 Norte, the End of History Norte, Hangganan ng KasaysayanNoYesNoco-written with Rody Vera; [30] 250 min (4:10)
2014 From What Is Before Mula sa Kung Ano ang NoonYesYesYesWinner Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno Film Festival [30] 339 min (5:39)
Storm Children: Book OneMga Anak ng Unos: Unang AklatYesYesYesDocumentary [31] 143 min (2:23)
2015The Day Before the EndFragmentYesYesYes"Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas..." segment [32] 130 hr (2:10) (film); 16 min (segment)
2016 A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery Hele sa Hiwagang HapisYesYesNoPremiered at 2016 Berlin Film Festival In Competition [33] 489 min (8:09)
The Woman Who Left Ang Babaeng HumayoYesYesYesAdapted from the short story God Sees the Truth, But Waits by Leo Tolstoy.

Winner Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Film Festival [34]

229 min (3:49)
2018 Season of the Devil Ang Panahon ng HalimawYesYesNoAlso composer.

Premiered at 2018 Berlin Film Festival in Competition

234 min (3:54)
JourneyLakbayanYesNoYes"Hugaw/Dirt" segment [35] 118 min (1:58)
2019 The Halt Ang HupaYesYesNo [36] 283 min (4:43)
2020Genus PanLahi, HayopYesYesYesRe-edited material from an abandoned 2014 feature film.157 min (2:37)
2021 History of Ha Historya ni HaYesYesYes [37] 273 min (4:33)
2022A Tale of Filipino ViolenceIsang Salaysay ng Karahasang PilipinoYesYesYesAdapted from Ricardo Lee's short story and screenplay of "Servando Magdamag"; Premiered at FidMarseillse.409 min (6:49)
When the Waves Are Gone Kapag Wala Nang Mga AlonYesYesNoWorld Premiere at 79th Venice International Film Festival, out of competition187 min (3:07)
2023Essential Truths of the LakeNoYesYesWorld Premiere at 2023 Locarno Film Festival 215 min (3:35)
2024 Phantosmia YesYesYesWorld Premiere at 2024 Venice Film Festival out of competition [14] 245 min (4:05)
2025 Magellan MagalhãesNoYesYesWorld Premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival [38] 156 min (2:36)
TBAKawalan—YesYesPost-production
Henrico's Farm—YesYes
An Amazon———Pre-production, first work in English [39]

Other Credits

YearEnglish TitleOriginal TitleNotes
1991Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang KaawayWriter; co-written with Tony Mortel, Jose Bartolome and Manny Buising.
1993 Galvez: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Mundo Hahanapin Kita Writer; co-written with Henry Nadong.
1997 Adarna: The Mythical Bird Awarded in 2006 for his contribution to the film [40]
TBA The Sacrifice Actor; as Pilo

Television

YearTitleCredited asNotesRef(s).
DirectorWriter
1989,
1991		BalintatawNoYes"Iskolar" two-part episode; "Lenny" episode [41] [42]

Awards and nominations

YearFilmFilm festivalCategoryResultRefs.
2008 Melancholia 65th Venice International Film Festival Best Film (Horizons)Won [43]
2013 Norte, the End of History 2013 Cannes Film Festival Prix Un Certain Regard Nominated [44]
2014 From What Is Before 2014 Locarno Film Festival Golden Leopard Won [45]
2016 A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery 66th Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear Nominated [46]
Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear)Won [47]
The Woman Who Left 73rd Venice International Film Festival Golden Lion Won [48]
2018 Season of the Devil 68th Berlin International Film Festival Golden BearNominated [49]
2020Genus, Pan 77th Venice International Film Festival Best Director (Horizons)Won [50]

Notes

  1. ↑ Sources frequently mentioned Datu Paglas in Maguindanao del Sur as his birthplace but Diaz's birth preceded its split from Columbio.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dormiendo, Gino (December 7, 2000). "Lav Diaz vs mediocrity". Manila Standard . The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. A30. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  2. ↑ Lachica, Veneranda S. (1994). Komunikasyon at Linggwistika (in Filipino). Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store. p. 115. ISBN   971-23-1614-9 . Retrieved November 4, 2022– via Google Books. ...isinulat ni Lav Indico Diaz na nagtatago sa sagisag na Bahagharing Timog.
  3. ↑ Diaz, Lav (September 19, 1988). "Talagang nakakatakot". Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ Red, Isah V. (July 25, 1999). "The truth about FPJ". Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 18. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Directory of Winners". Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  6. ↑ Cinefoundation.org Archived July 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Jennings, Sheri (August 18, 2011). "Venice Orizzonti adds Lav Diaz's Century of Birthing". Screen Daily . Media Business Insight Limited. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. ↑ Hwang, Hei-rim (May 8, 2012). "Jeonju International Film Festival award winners announced". Korean Cinema Today. KOFIC. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Images Festival Award Winners". Images Festival. Tucows Domains Inc. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  10. ↑ "2013 Official Selection". Cannes. April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  11. ↑ Cronk, Jordan (March 26, 2018). "Berlin Interview: Lav Diaz". Film Comment. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza invited to U.S. Film Academy". Rappler. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Essential Truths Of The Lake". Epic Media. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Nepales, Ruben (July 23, 2024). "Lav Diaz makes it to Venice Film Festival for 8th time with 'Phantosmia'". Rappler. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  15. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (September 1, 2025). "Lav Diaz's 'Magellan' Sails to Oscar Waters as Philippines' International Feature Entry". Variety. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Gaza : des cinéastes du monde entier demandent un cessez-le-feu immédiat". Libération (in French). December 28, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  17. ↑ Newman, Nick (December 29, 2023). "Claire Denis, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Christian Petzold, Apichatpong Weerasethakul & More Sign Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza". The Film Stage. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Directors of cinema sign petition for immediate ceasefire". The Jerusalem Post . December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  19. ↑ Grenier, Pascal (September 15, 2016). "3 Films by Lav Diaz". Cinetalk.net. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  20. 1 2 Tioseco, Alexis A. (January 30, 2006). "A Conversation with Lav Diaz". Criticine. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  21. ↑ Cockrell, Eddie (May 8, 2000). "Review: Naked Under the Moon". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  22. ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (July 31, 2002). "Review: Batang West Side". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  23. ↑ Koehler, Robert (September 28, 2004). "Review: Evolution of a Filipino Family". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  24. ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (October 2, 2007). "Review: Death in the Land of Encantos". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  25. ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (September 29, 2008). "Review: Melancholia". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Butterflies Have No Memories". filmaffinity.com. Film Affinity. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  27. ↑ Koehler, Robert (October 2, 2011). "Review: Century of Birthing". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  28. ↑ Cruz, Oggs (September 11, 2011). "Elegy to the Visitor from the Revolution". Screen Anarchy . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Day 5 – Florentina Hubaldo, CTE (Diaz)". The Art of Slow Cinema. December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  30. 1 2 Chang, Justin (September 5, 2014). "Film Review: From What Is Before". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  31. ↑ Tsui, Clarence (January 19, 2015). "Storm Children, Book One (Mga Anak ng Unos, Unang Aklat): Rotterdam Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas". viennale.at. Vienna International Film Festival . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  33. ↑ Lodge, Guy (September 9, 2016). "Berlin Film Review: A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  34. ↑ Lodge, Guy (September 9, 2016). "Film Review: The Woman Who Left". Variety . Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  35. ↑ Tsui, Clarence (October 25, 2018). "'Lakbayan': Film Review | Tokyo 2018". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  36. ↑ Romney, Jonathan (May 24, 2019). "'The Halt': Cannes Review". Screen Daily . Media Business Insight Limited. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Lav Diaz's language of love this Valentine's Day: a John Lloyd movie you can stream for free". ABS-CBN News . February 24, 2022.
  38. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (April 6, 2025). "Lav Diaz Hints At Cannes Debut For Ferdinand Magellan Film With Gael García Bernal; Reveals Near-Death Experience: "It Became A Personal Journey To Understanding Immortality"". Deadline. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  39. ↑ Purnell, Kristofer. "Lav Diaz sets Alexandre Dumas adaptation as next film to be shot in Philippines". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  40. ↑ Samio, Veronica R. (October 8, 2006). "Discovery ni Kuya Germs, bibigyan ng scholarship ni Josh Groban sa Yale Univ!". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  41. ↑ "'Iskolar' in Balintataw". Manila Standard . Manila Standard News, Inc. January 24, 1989. p. 16. Retrieved July 3, 2023. Written by Lav Diaz.
  42. ↑ "Remembering Lenny and His Fraternity". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 29, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved July 3, 2023. The script was written by Marcelino Cavestany and Lav Diaz...
  43. ↑ "Melancholia".
  44. ↑ "Norte, Hangganan Ng Kasaysayan".
  45. ↑ "Filipino Director Lav Diaz Takes Home Top Prize in Locarno". The Hollywood Reporter . August 16, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Eight-hour Berlin film focuses on Philippines revolution". Reuters. February 18, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Lav Diaz's 'Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis' wins big at Berlin Int'l Film Festival". Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  48. ↑ "The Woman Who Left wins Venice film festival as Nocturnal Animals runnerup". TheGuardian.com . September 10, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Ang Panahon ng Halimaw | Season of the Devil | in Zeiten des Teufels".
  50. ↑ "Lav Diaz wins Best Director at Venice Film Fest's Orizzonti section". BusinessWorld . September 14, 2020.

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