The Filipino film Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left) earned the top prize at the prestigious 73rd Venice International Film Festival.
Directed by Lav Diaz, this revenge drama starring Charo Santos Concio and John Lloyd Cruz won the Golden Lion trophy during the awarding ceremony held on September 10, 2016 in Lido, Venice, Italy.
Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left) was able to beat 19 other entries featuring Hollywood stars including Keanu Reeves and Jim Carrey (The Bad Batch), Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams (Nocturnal Animals), Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (La La Land), Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander (The Light Between Oceans).
Charo Santos-Concio plays a former schoolteacher named Horacia Somorostro who is wrongfully accused and sent to prison for 30 years. Upon her release, she struggles between forgiveness and fury against those who wronged her.
John Lloyd is cast as Hollanda, a character described by The Hollywood Reporter as an "epileptic drag artist."
“This is for my country, for the Filipino people; for our struggle and the struggle of humanity,” said Direk Lav as he received the Golden Lion for Best Film award.
During his acceptance speech, he asked lead stars Charo and John Lloyd to stand up so they can be acknowledged by the crowd.
Produced by Cinema One Originals and Sine Olivia, Ang Babaeng Humayo was the only Asian film chosen for the main competition of Venezia 73.
Shot in Charo's hometown in Calapan, Mindoro, this black-and-white film runs for 3 hours and 46 minutes.
This project marks the movie comeback of ABS-CBN's Chief Content Officer. Her last appearance on the big screen was 17 years ago for the 1999 film Esperanza: The Movie.
(To view photos, click: Charo Santos-Concio and John Lloyd Cruz represent Ang Babaeng Humayo at Venice Film Fest red carpet)
Ang Babaeng Humayo was also included in the Wavelengths section of the 41st Toronto International Film Fest.
The North American premiere of this movie took place in 2016 Toronto IFF, which is being held from September 8 to 18.
Here is the list of winners of the 2016 Venice Film Fest:
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
GOLDEN LION
“The Woman Who Left” (Lav Diaz, Philippines)
SILVER LION BEST DIRECTOR (TIE)
“Paradise,” Andre Konchalovsky, Russia, Germany
“The Untamed,” Amat Escalante, Mexico
JURY GRAND PRIZE
“Nocturnal Animals” (Tom Ford,)
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
“The Bad Batch” (Ana Lily Amirpour, U.S.)
ACTOR
Oscar Martinez (“The Distinguished Citizen,” Argentina, Spain)
ACTRESS
Emma Stone (“La La Land,” U.S.)
MARCELLO MASTROIANNI PRIZE FOR YOUNG PERFORMER –
Paula Beer (“Frantz,” France)
BEST SCREENPLAY
Noah Oppenheim (“Jackie,” U.S.)
LUIGI DE LAURENTIIS LION OF THE FUTURE
“The Last of Us,” (Ala Eddine Slim, Tunisia)
HORIZONS JURY
BEST FILM
“Liberami” (Federica di Giacomo, Italy)
BEST DIRECTOR
“Home” (Fien Troch, Belgium)
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
“Big Big World” (Reha Erdam, Turkey)
SPECIAL PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR
Nuno Lopes (“Sao Jorge”) by Marco Martins (Portugal)
SPECIAL PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS
Ruth Diaz (“The Fury of a Patient Man”) by Raul Arevalo (Spain)
BEST SCREENPLAY
“Bitter Money,” by Wang Bing (China)
BEST SHORT
“La Voz Perdida,” Marcelo Mantinessi (Paraguay)
VENICE CLASSICS AWARDS
Best Documentary on Cinema
“Le Councours,” (Claire Simon)
Best Restored Film
“Break-Up — L’uomo dei cinque palloni,” (Marco Ferreri, Italy)
Charo Santos-Concio with co-star John Lloyd Cruz
