Lav Diaz
Filipino film director (born 1958)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lavrente Indico Diaz (born December 30, 1958) is a Filipino filmmaker, actor, and former film critic.[3] He is known as one of the key practitioners of the slow cinema genre, producing a diverse range of long narrative films that explore social and political issues with minimalist storytelling and long takes.
- Filmmaker
- film critic
Lav Diaz | |
|---|---|
Diaz at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival | |
| Born | Lavrente Indico Diaz December 30, 1958 |
| Other name | Bahagharing Timog[2] |
| Occupations |
|
| Notable work | |
Diaz made his directorial debut with Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion, released in 1999. Initially making low budget films within the Philippine studio system, he first came into prominence with Batang West Side (2001) and Evolution of a Filipino Family (2004), which both feature long running times that have become part of his cinematic trademark. His work garnered international acclaim with Norte, the End of History (2013), which was entered into the Un Certain Regard section of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Diaz received further accolades with From What Is Before (2014), A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (2016), and The Woman Who Left (2016). He is a recipient of 2018's FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award and 2021's Natatanging Gawad Urian (Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award). Diaz's latest film, Magellan (2025), was his second film to be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, after Norte, the End of History.
Early life
Diaz was born in Columbio, Cotabato. His childhood was marked by the violent conflicts between Muslim armed groups and the Philippine government. Due to the dangerous situation, his family moved to the more peaceful town of Tacurong where he finished his high school education. Diaz graduated in 1980 with an economics degree from Notre Dame University in Cotabato City. [1]
Career
Diaz went to Manila where he began doing odd jobs for various publications and took up writing about music and film for a living. Then, he became a production assistant for Balintataw. For a time, he wrote comics as part of the editorial staff for Ang Masa and We Forum.[1]
After attending multiple film workshops, Diaz directed in 1985 his first film, a three-minute Super 8 mm short called Banlaw (lit. 'Cleanse'), which depicts an idealist young man inspired by a self-immolating Buddhist to protest the Marcos regime in a similar manner.[4] After the People Power Revolution in 1986, Diaz worked as a critic for the Manila Standard newspaper in the late 1980s, during which time he directed his second short film, Step No, Step Yes, in 1988.[4] His Filipino-language short story, "Pula, Puti at Saka Blu at Marami Pang Kolor" (lit. 'Red, White and Also Blue and Many Other Colors'), which he wrote under the pseudonym Bahagharing Timog (lit. 'Southern Rainbow'), won 2nd place at the 1990 Palanca Awards under the category of Short Story - Filipino. Diaz later moved to New York City to further study filmmaking.[5]
He has won several international awards such as the award for Best Picture at the Singapore International Film Festival, the Independent Film Festival of Brussels and Gawad Urian in 2002 and Netpac Jury Prize and Best Acting Ensemble (2001 Cinemanila International Film Festival) for his film Batang West Side (including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Music, Best Sound at the Urian), in Gawad Urian in 2005 for the film Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino (Evolution of a Filipino Family), and Special Jury Prize at the Fribourg International Film Festival in 2006 for Heremias, Book One.
His films often tackle the issues regarding the current social and political state of the Philippines. His film Kagadanan sa Banwaan ning mga Engkanto (Death in the Land of Encantos), the Closing Film of the orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival 2007, was awarded with a Golden Lion Special Mention. Death in the Land of Encantos was also in competition at the Artistic Innovation Award (Visions) of the Toronto International Film Festival 2007. He has three Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature recognitions (a second place (1990) and an honorable mention (1991) for short stories, and third place (1997) for screenplay).[6] His film Melancholia won the Orizzonti Grand Prize at the 65th Venice International Film Festival in 2008. In January 2011, he joined the board of directors for Cine Foundation International.[7]
He went back in 2011 at the Venice International Film Festival for his film Siglo ng Pagluluwal (Century of Birthing)[8] and which earned the Grand Jury Prize at the 13th Cinemanila International Film Festival. The following year, his film Florentina Hubaldo, CTE won Best Asian Film at the Jeonju International Film Festival[9] and gained the On-Screen Award at the Images Festival.[10]
His 2013 film Norte, the End of History was screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the 66th Cannes Film Festival.[11] He received the Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival for From What Is Before. At the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival, his film A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery was awarded the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize. In the same year, he also received the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival for The Woman Who Left.
Diaz has made crime stories, ghost stories and a musical. On the topic of genre Diaz has said, "It's nice to dwell on genres because there are formulas there and you can work with them. But at the same time you're free to break them."[12]
He is a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2010, the Prince Claus Award of the Netherlands in 2014 and The Radcliffe Fellowship of Harvard University, 2016–2017.
Diaz was invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a member in July 2017.[13]
Diaz presented his film, Essential Truths of the Lake, a sequel to When the Waves Are Gone, at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival out of competition.[14] Diaz's film, Phantosmia, premiered as an out-of-competition entry in the 81st Venice International Film Festival, his 8th film for the festival.[15] In 2025, he premiered his film Magellan, starring Gael García Bernal, at 2025 Cannes Film Festival out of competition. The film was selected as the Philippines' submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the best international feature film category.[16]
Diaz has also appeared in several films, such as Raymond Red's Himpapawid (2009), Sigrid Andrea Bernardo's Lorna (2014), and Khavn's Makamisa: Phantasm of Revenge (2024). He is set to star on Prime Cruz's upcoming psychological horror film The Sacrifice alongside Lovi Poe, Timothy Granaderos and Enchong Dee.[17]
Political views
In December 2023, alongside 50 other filmmakers, Diaz signed an open letter published in Libération demanding a ceasefire and an end to the killing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, and for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to be established for humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.[18][19][20]
Filmography
Feature films
| Year | English title | Original title | Credited as | Notes | Length | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | Producer | Editor | Cinematographer | |||||
| 1998 | The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion | Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Directorial debut[21] | 132 min (2:12) |
| 1999 | Burger Boys | Yes | No | No | No | No | [22] | 112 min (1:52) | |
| Naked Under the Moon | Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [23] | 110 min (1:50) | |
| 2001 | West Side Avenue | Batang West Side | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [24] | 315 min (5:15) |
| 2002 | Hesus the Revolutionary | Hesus, Rebolusyonaryo | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [22] | 112 min (1:52) |
| 2004 | Evolution of a Filipino Family | Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [25] | 624 min (10:24) |
| 2006 | Heremias (Book One: Legend of the Lizard Princess) | Heremias (Unang Aklat: Ang Alamat ng Prinsesang Bayawak) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 519 min (8:39) | |
| 2007 | Death in the Land of Encantos | Kagadanan sa Banwaan ning Mga Engkanto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [26] | 541 min (9:01) |
| 2008 | Melancholia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also composer[27] | 447 min (7:27) | |
| 2009 | Butterflies Have No Memories | Walang Alaala ang mga Paru-Paro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [28] | 61 min (1:01) |
| 2011 | Century of Birthing | Siglo ng Pagluluwal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | also composer[29] | 359 min (5:59) |
| Elegy to the Visitor from the Revolution | Elehiya sa Dumalaw Mula sa Himagsikan. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [30] | 80 min (1:20) | |
| 2012 | Florentina Hubaldo, CTE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [31] | 366 min (6:06) | |
| 2013 | Norte, the End of History | Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | co-written with Rody Vera;[32] Nominated - Best International Film at the 2015 Independent Spirit Awards. Nominated - Un Certain Regard at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. |
250 min (4:10) |
| 2014 | From What Is Before | Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Winner Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno Film Festival[32] | 339 min (5:39) |
| Storm Children: Book One | Mga Anak ng Unos: Unang Aklat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Documentary[33] | 143 min (2:23) | |
| 2016 | A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery | Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Premiered at 2016 Berlin Film Festival In Competition[34] | 489 min (8:09) |
| The Woman Who Left | Ang Babaeng Humayo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Adapted from the short story "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" by Leo Tolstoy. Winner Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Film Festival[35] |
229 min (3:49) | |
| 2018 | Season of the Devil | Ang Panahon ng Halimaw | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Also composer. Premiered at 2018 Berlin Film Festival in Competition |
234 min (3:54) |
| 2019 | The Halt | Ang Hupa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [36] | 283 min (4:43) |
| 2020 | Genus Pan | Lahi, Hayop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Re-edited material from an abandoned 2014 feature film. | 157 min (2:37) |
| 2021 | History of Ha | Historya ni Ha | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [37] | 273 min (4:33) |
| 2022 | A Tale of Filipino Violence | Isang Salaysay ng Karahasang Pilipino | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Adapted from Ricardo Lee's short story and screenplay of "Servando Magdamag"; premiered at FIDMarseille. | 409 min (6:49) |
| When the Waves Are Gone | Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, out of competition | 187 min (3:07) | |
| 2023 | Essential Truths of the Lake | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Premiered at the 76th Locarno Film Festival | 215 min (3:35) | |
| 2024 | Phantosmia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, out of competition[15] | 245 min (4:05) | |
| 2025 | Magellan | Magalhães | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival[38] | 156 min (2:36) |
| TBA | Kawalan | Yes | Yes | N/a | Yes | Yes | Post-production | ||
| Henrico's Farm | Yes | Yes | N/a | Yes | Yes | ||||
| An Amazon | Yes | Yes | N/a | N/a | N/a | Pre-production, first work in English[39] | |||
Omnibus films
| Year | Title | Segment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Imahe Nasyon | "Nang Matapos ang Ulan" | Anthology film to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, with all segments starring Pen Medina.[40] |
| 2009 | Visitors | "Walang Alaala ang Mga Paruparo" | A short version was commissioned for the 2009 Jeonju International Film Festival. Visitors also features segments by Naomi Kawase and Hong Sang-soo.[41] |
| 2013 | Venice 70: Future Reloaded | "Ang Alitaptap" | Commissioned for the 70th Venice International Film Festival.[42] |
| 2015 | Fragment | "Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas" | Commissioned by the Asian Film Archive for their 10th anniversary.[43][44] |
| 2018 | Lakbayan | "Hugaw" | Also features segments by Brillante Mendoza and Kidlat Tahimik[45] |
| 2019 | 30th anniversaire of FIDMarseille | "Marta" | Commissioned for the 30th anniversary of FIDMarseille |
| 2020 | Liminal | "Malamig ang Mundo" | Commissioned by the UNAM International Film Festival (FICUNAM) alongside Manuela de Laborde, Oscar Enriquez, and Philippe Grandrieux.[46] |
Short films
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Prologo sa ang Dakilang Desaparecido | Preview for Diaz's then-upcoming feature film The Great Desaparecido,[47] elements of which were later included in A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery, about Gregoria de Jesus's search for her husband Andres Bonifacio's remains.[48] |
| 2018 | The Boy Who Chose the Earth | Two-minute trailer for the 56th Vienna International Film Festival.[49] |
| 2020 | Himala: Isang Diyalektika ng Ating Panahon | Eight-minute reaction video to the 1982 film Himala, screened during the Gabi ng Himala online fundraising event to help Filipino film crew affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[50] |
| 2024 | Faith | One-minute trailer for the Austrian Film Museum on its 60th anniversary.[51] |
Writer only
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway | Co-written with Tony Mortel, Jose F. Bartolome and Manny Buising; directed by Augusto Salvador[52] |
| 1991 | Daddy Goon | Co-written with Jose F. Bartolome and Rodolfo T. Meyer; directed by Rudy Meyer |
| 1993 | Galvez: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Mundo Hahanapin Kita | Co-written with Henry Nadong; directed by Manuel Fyke Cinco |
| 2013 | Alamat ni China Doll | Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.[53] |
| 2019 | Mañanita | Directed by Paul Soriano[54][55] |
Selected acting roles and documentary appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Pugot | Taga | Directed by Khavn[56][57][58][59] |
| Todo Todo Teros | Himself | Directed by John Torres[60] | |
| 2007 | Green Rocking Chair | Himself | Directed by Roxlee |
| 2009 | Independencia | Townspeople | Directed by Raya Martin |
| Manila | Director | Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. and Raya Martin | |
| Himpapawid | Cameo | Directed by Raymond Red | |
| 2010 | Philippine New Wave: This Is Not a Film Movement | Himself | Documentary |
| 2012 | Colossal | Shaman | Directed by Whammy Alcazaren[61] |
| 2014 | Echoserang Frog | Himself | Directed by Joven Tan[62] |
| Lorna | Rodolfo | Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo | |
| 2015 | The Last Pinoy Action King | Himself | Documentary |
| Salvage | Nilalang | Directed by Sherad Anthony Sanchez | |
| 2016 | Singing in Graveyards | Paul | Directed by Bradley Liew |
| Lily | Drunk Man | Directed by Keith Deligero | |
| 2019 | Habambuhay: Remembering Philippine Cinema | Himself | Documentary |
| 2024 | Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust | Poet (voice) | Directed by Ishan Shukla[63] |
| Makamisa: Phantasm of Revenge | Kristo Kastrado | Directed by Khavn[64] | |
| Real Life Fiction | Pawnshop Owner | Directed by Paul Soriano[65] | |
| Moneyslapper | Lucas | Directed by Bor Ocampo[66] | |
| Cinemartyrs | Kristo | Directed by Sari Dalena[67] | |
| TBA | The Sacrifice | Pilo | Post-production[68] |
Television
Awards and nominations
Notes
- Sources frequently mentioned Datu Paglas in Maguindanao del Sur as his birthplace but Diaz's birth preceded its split from Columbio.
