The Philippines have chosen Lav Diaz’ epic four-hour drama Norte, the End of History to represent the country in their bid for a nomination for best foreign-language film at the Oscars next year.
A loose adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, the film stars Sid Lucero and Archie Alemania as its troubled protagonists in modern-day Philippines. A villager takes the fall for a privileged law student’s double murder, while his family seeks out redemption.
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The critically-acclaimed film had its premiere at Cannes last year in the Un Certain Regard sidebar. It went on to have a very successful festival run, making appearances in Locarno, Toronto, New York, Busan, London and Rotterdam. It played the Film Society of Lincoln Center this past June.
Diaz’ latest film From What is Before, a five-and-a-half-hour political drama, took home the top prize in Locarno this year.
The Oscar submission was chosen by Leo Martinez, head of the Film Academy of the Philippines.
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