By Janet Susan R. Nepales
Lav Diaz’s film, “Makikiraan Po” (Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors), which has been selected to premiere at the prestigious 83rd Venice International Film Festival and is Diaz’s third out-of-competition entry at the festival, just won the Brian Award. Diaz received the award in Lido in a ceremony on September 10.
The Brian Award, a film award established in 2006, recognizes films that promote values such as rationality, human rights, democracy, pluralism, and individual freedom. The award aims to highlight works that encourage respect for these principles in society.
The Brian Award seeks to celebrate films that enhance the understanding of democratic values and promote equal opportunities for all citizens.
It emphasizes the importance of freedom of conscience and expression. The award is part of a broader initiative to encourage filmmakers to address social issues through their work.
The 67-year-old award-winning auteur, who is known for his contributions to the slow cinema genre, said about the award:
“It was a big surprise when the most radical group at the Lido reached out yesterday to tell Hazel Orencio, our Line Producer, that after their revolutionary lenses had checked all the works at the fest, they’re giving the gig to us, the Monty Python-inspired and big-dirty finger award, Premio Brian (The Brian Award), to our simple Filipino-prayer of a home movie, Makikiraan Po (Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors).
“They said ‘Thank you’ to the film that’s ‘continuing the greater cultural revolution.’
“So, today, before the sun rises in the Eastern skies of Venice, over a cup of coffee by the steps of a desolate hotel called Mabapa, a little ceremony- it’s more of a ritual – shall be conducted.
“It’s 4:26 AM right now here at the Lido. I’m sitting by the third-floor balcony of the Mabapa, and as I gazed at the vast and open cold waters, the waves rhyming and dancing, a small boat silhouetted by the little moon appears from the left frame. It’s an ancient boat, and the young man who’s paddling away waved, and I waved back and whispered in Malay Tagalog: ‘Maglayag ka, Marco Polo.’ (Sail on, dear Marco Polo).”
Born in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao, Diaz is known for his films that delve into socio-political issues in the Philippines.
“Makikiraan Po,” produced by C’est Lovi Productions, EpicMedia Productions, and Sine Olivia Pilipinas, is also now Diaz’s shortest film in 24 years, clocking in at two hours and 27 minutes.
Set during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, “Makikiraan Po” depicts how churches built in the 17th century through the forced labor of thousands of native Filipinos stand as enduring reminders of violence, plunder, and suffering brought by colonial rule.
It follows Padre Enciso, played by Bart Guingona, a Spanish friar and encomendero who is tasked with spreading Catholicism while overseeing the construction of a church. He orders his son, Dungwen (Christian Bables), to transport valuable limestone through territories where native communities continue to resist colonial rule.
It also stars Isabel Sandoval, Yul Servo, Ronnie Lazaro, and Bong Cabrera.
Irene Tartaglia from the Brian Award at the Venice International Film Festival contacted Hazel Orencio, line producer of the film, and said, “After viewing it, we have decided to award our prize to this film and would like to arrange the ceremony to hand over the prize to Mr. Diaz and take a few pictures at your earliest convenience.”
The Brian Award trophy was inspired by the Monty Python film “Life of Brian” and initially took the form of a golden globe designed by Italian jeweler Giovanni Corvaja.
The movie is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 11.
Janet Susan R. Nepales is an award-winning journalist and the first Filipina voting member and Associate of the Golden Globe Awards. She has been a member since 2008 and is the first Filipina to be elected to the Advisory Board. She is the author of the coffee table book “FASHION. Filipino. Hollywood. The World” and the co-author of the first FWN book “DISRUPT: Filipina Women: Proud. Loud. Leading Without A Doubt.” A graduate of UST (AB Journalism, cum laude), she is based in Los Angeles and is a Hollywood entertainment journalist and TV correspondent.
