Another int’l award for Lav Diaz’s Norte

So you think Lav Diaz’s four-hour-long epic Norte, Hangganan Ng Kasaysayan has stopped winning awards so far?

Think again.

In a breaking-news report, Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas said that Norte recently won the Audience Award in the Festival Internacional de Cine de Murcia — IBAFF in Spain. The award came on the heels of Norte’s winning Best Picture, among other awards, at the recent Gawad Urian.

“The festival is now on its fifth edition and promoted by the Municipality of Murcia,” reported Celso. “This year, it received almost 300 entries, full-length and short films, from 40 different countries.”

During its run in New York, Norte merited positive reviews and was named “Film of the Week” by US-based Film Comment.  Excerpt of the citation reads: “Norte doesn’t feel long in the least, with its narrative economy, clarity and gently purposeful forward drive, the film is as streamlined and as watchable as any contemporary mainstream narrative, if not more so. At the risk of repeating a weary truism about the relativity of film time, Norte feels a lot shorter than the arduous grind of many an artificially busy Hollywood production.”

Film Comment is the official publication of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. For the past 52 years, it has featured in-depth reviews and critical analysis of mainstream, art-house and avant-garde filmmaking from around the world.

Celso also quoted Matt Biancardi of Tiny Mix Tapes, an online music and film web magazine: “Diaz has done a service to his native land by creating a sprawling epic. If you take anything from even hearing Norte..., walk away with a knowledge that the Philippines is establishing itself not only as an emerging economic and social presence in modernity, but also a culture invested in film and the chronicling of the past, present and future.”

More from Celso: Released through New Wave Films, Norte will be screened in UK and Ireland as follows: UK: London (ICA Cinema), July 18 to 24; Glasgow (GFT), July 19 to 21; and Dublin (Irish Film Institute), July 25 to 31.  

Philippine screenings are through #SinePopUp, presented by Origin8 Media & Kayan Productions, in partnership with Ayala Mall Cinemas: Trinoma — July 19, 6:30 p.m.; Greenbelt 3 — July 19, 6:30 p.m.; Glorietta 4 — July 20, 3 p.m.; ATC (Muntinlupa City) — July 20, 3 p.m.; Centrio (Cagayan de Oro City) — July 24, 1:30 p.m .and 6 p.m.

Another beauty contest launched

So you think there are more than enough beauty contests hereabouts?

Think again. 

The 2014 Miss Grand Philippines, launched recently, will debut on Aug. 16 at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Diliman, Quezon City, hoping to promote “peace and humanity.”

The winner will compete in Bangkok in the second Miss Grand International Pageant slated on Oct. 7 where last year’s handpicked delegate, 2012 Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Ali Forbes, was adjudged third runner-up to Puerto Rico’s Janelee Marcus Chaparro Colon. Nawat Itsaragrisil, the president and franchise owner of Miss Grand International, and Chaparro will crown the 2014 Miss Grand Philippines winner.  

The Swarovski, pearl and emerald-studded crown was crafted all the way from Saudi Arabia and was designed by Middle East-based Filipino designer Jayson Galicha. FDAP’s Julius Ornum is providing the Swarovski-studded winner’s sash. Homegrown designers Dennis Santos and Basty Sta. Maria will provide the wardrobe of our candidates for the coronation night. 

The theme song, A Grand Dream, is interpreted and recorded by singer/songwriter and former member of The CompanY Reuben Laurente with lyrics by John de la Vega, melody by Gerry de Leon and arrangement by Khalil Refuerzo. — Celso de Guzman Caparas 

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)