Indie films rule at the 37th Gawad Urian awards

IT was a night for independent films at the 37th Gawad Urian last June 17 at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theatre. The indies won most of the categories, including the major ones.

Lav Diaz’s Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan took home four awards—Best Picture, Best Actress (Angeli Bayani) Best Screenplay (Lav Diaz and Rody Vera) and Best Cinematography (Lauro Rene Manda).

Actor Joel Torre won the Best Actor award for the acclaimed action film, OTJ, which also has been released here in the United States.

Angeli beat seasoned actresses Nora Aunor (Ang Kwento ni Mabuti) and Vilma Santos (Ekstra) in the Best Actress category.

Actress and model Angel Aquino won Best Supporting Actress for the film Ang Huling Chacha ni Anita. Her film has recently been featured at the New Filipino Cinema film festival at Yerba Buena last week, as well as the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival this coming week.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

• Best Picture: Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

• Best Actress : Angeli Bayani (Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

• Best Actor : Joel Torre (On The Job)

• Best Director : Hannah Espia (Transit)

• Best Screenplay : Lav Diaz and Rody Vera (Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

• Best Cinematography: Lauro Rene Manda (Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

• Best Production Design: Adolfo Alix, Jr. (Porno)

• Best Music: Emerson Texon (Sonata)

• Best Editing: Chuck Gutierrez (Riddles of My Homecoming)

• Best Sound: Corinne de San Jose (On The Job)

• Best Documentary: Nanay Mameng