John Lloyd Cruz explained why he cried after the film of Lav Diaz won on Venice Film Festival.
Actor John Lloyd Cruz explained his reason why he was in tears after the film directed by Lav Diaz won on 73rd Venice Film Festival.
On Saturday, “Ang Babaeng Humayo” or “The Woman Who Left” as the newest film of Diaz about revenge and forgiveness, won the Golden Lion, the top prize in the 73rd Venice Film Festival in Italy.
Cruz plays a transgender role in the 228-minute long, black-and-white drama directed by Diaz where ABS-CBN chief content officer Charo Santos was also one of the actors.
After the winning moment, Cruz has not stopped his tears from falling.
When asked about why he cried while watching Diaz deliver his acceptance speech at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, the actor said, “I was trying my best na hindi pumatak ‘yung luha ko, but wala eh, I couldn’t help but get emotional.”
The Golden Lion prize is the top prize of the oldest film festival in the world.
“Because for me, it was a defining moment for Philippine cinema,” added Cruz.” Talagang proud na proud ako para kay Lav.”
Diaz’s Venice feat on Saturday is his second international win this year 2016 after taking home the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in February for his “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis,” eight-hour historical epic.
According to Diaz in his speech, he dedicated his latest win to the “struggle of Filipinos.”
“Ang Babaeng Humayo” tells the story of Horacia (Charo Santos), a school teacher who spent 30 years in a correctional facility for a crime she did not commit.
She was released after someone else confesses to the crime, and Horacia soon finds out things which are difficult to deal with.
She discovered that her husband had long passed away, her daughter had moved out, her son had gone missing, presumed dead, and that a former lover had set her up to be jailed.