MANILA, Philippines – After winning the Silver Bear: Alfred Bauer Prize for his 8-hour epic Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis at the prestigious Berlinale, Lav Diaz has triumphed again in Germany.
His 16-minute film, Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas (The Day Before the End), was awarded the Principal Prize at the 62nd International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen. The awards ceremony was held last May 5.
The citation for the award hailed it as a "work of political urgency," and read: "Made by an artist known for works that unfold over many hours, this short film is both elaborate and succinct. Here, otherwise canonical text arrives as a pressing vernacular, a site of last resort."
Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas sees ordinary people read Shakespearean verses against the backdrop of a city bracing itself for a storm. Hazel Orencio, who appeared in Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, also performs in the film.
Diaz's film had its world and festival premiere at Oberhausen, and competed against the likes of If It Was by Laure Provost and Retrospective by Finland's Salla Tykkä.
The Principal Prize comes with 4,000 euros. – Rappler.com