# Lav Diaz

Lavrente Indico Diaz (born December 30, 1958) is a Filipino independent filmmaker and former film critic. He is frequently known as one of the key members of the slow cinema movement, and has made several of the longest narrative films on record. Diaz is one of the most critically acclaimed contemporary Filipino filmmakers.
Diaz started making films in the late 1990s. His first international exposure was at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 1999 with his directorial debut Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion (The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion). The Hong Kong event went on to present his next two features: Naked Under the Moon in 2000 and Batang West Side in 2001. European film festivals only caught on with Norte, the End of History (2013), which was entered into the Un Certain Regard section of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and received much critical praise.
Diaz's subsequent films have likewise received positive critical attention and many awards. From What Is Before (2014) won the Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival; A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (2016) competed for the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and won the Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear); and The Woman Who Left (2016) competed at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival and won the Golden Lion. He received the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He is the recipient of 2021's Natatanging Gawad Urian (Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award).

## 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.

## Career

Diaz went to Manila where 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.
Diaz worked as a critic for the Manila Standard newspaper in the late 1980s before moving to New York City to study filmmaking. 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.
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 was 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). 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.
He went back in 2011 at the Venice International Film Festival for his film Siglo ng Pagluluwal (Century of Birthing) 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 and gained the On-Screen Award at the Images Festival.
His 2013 film Norte, the End of History was screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the 66th Cannes Film Festival. 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."
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.
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.
Diaz's next film, Phantosmia, premiered as an out-of-competition entry in the 81st Venice International Film Festival, his 8th film for the festival.

## 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.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | English Title | Original Title | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Notes | Length |
| Year | English Title | Original Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Editor | Cinematographer | Notes | Length |
| 1991 | Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway | Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway | No | Yes | No | No | No | Co-written with Tony Mortel, Jose Bartolome and Manny Buising. | 110 min (1:50) |
| 1993 | Galvez: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Mundo Hahanapin Kita | Galvez: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Mundo Hahanapin Kita | No | Yes | No | No | No | Co-written with Henry Nadong. | 103 min (1:43) |
| 1997 | Adarna: The Mythical Bird | Adarna: The Mythical Bird | No | No | No | No | No | Awarded in 2006 for his contribution to the film |
| 1998 | The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion | Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Directorial debut | 132 min (2:12) |
| 1999 | Burger Boys | Burger Boys | Yes | No | No | No | No | | 112 min (1:52) |
| 1999 | Naked Under the Moon | Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | | 110 min (1:50) |
| 2001 | West Side Avenue | Batang West Side | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | | 315 min (5:15) |
| 2002 | Hesus the Revolutionary | Hesus, Rebolusyunaryo | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | | 112 min (1:52) |
| 2004 | Evolution of a Filipino Family | Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | 624 min (10:24) |
| 2006 | Heremias (Book One: Legend of the Lizard Princess) | Heremias (Unang Aklat: Ang Alamat ng Prinsesang Bayawak) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | 519 min (8:39) |
| 2007 | Death in the Land of Encantos | Kagadanan Sa Banwaan Ning Mga Engkanto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 541 min (9:01) |
| 2008 | Melancholia | Melancholia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | 447 min (7:27) |
| 2009 | Butterflies Have No Memories | Walang Alaala ang mga Paru-Paro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 61 min (1:01) |
| 2011 | Woman of the Wind | Babae ng Hangin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Incomplete | |
| 2011 | Century of Birthing | Siglo ng Pagluluwal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | also composer | 359 min (5:59) |
| 2011 | Elegy to the Visitor from the Revolution | Elehiya sa Dumalaw Mula sa Himagsikan. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 80 min (1:20) |
| 2012 | Florentina Hubaldo, CTE | Florentina Hubaldo, CTE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | 366 min (6:06) |
| 2013 | Norte, the End of History | Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | co-written with Rody Vera; adapted from the novel Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. 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 | 339 min (5:39) |
| 2014 | Storm Children: Book One | Mga Anak ng Unos: Unang Aklat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Documentary | 143 min (2:23) |
| 2015 | The Day Before the End | Fragment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | "Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas..." segment | 130 hr (2:10) (film); 16 min (segment) |
| 2016 | A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery | Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Premiered at 2016 Berlin Film Festival In Competition | 489 min (8:09) |
| 2016 | 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 | 229 min (3:49) |
| 2018 | Season of the Devil | Ang Panahon ng Halimaw | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Also composer. Premiered at 2018 Berlin Film Festival in Competition | 234 min (3:54) |
| 2018 | Journey | Lakbayan | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | "Hugaw/Dirt" segment | 118 min (1:58) |
| 2019 | The Halt | Ang Hupa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 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 | | 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 FidMarseillse. | 409 min (6:49) |
| 2022 | When the Waves are Gone | Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Premiered at 2022 Venice Film Festival out of competition | 187 min (3:07) |
| 2023 | Essential Truths of the Lake | Essential Truths of the Lake | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Premiered at 2023 Locarno Film Festival | 215 min (3:35) |
| 2024 | Phantosmia | Phantosmia | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Premiered at 2024 Venice Film Festival out of competition | 245 min (4:05) |
| TBA | Kawalan | Kawalan | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Post Production | Post Production |
| TBA | Henrico's Farm | Henrico's Farm | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Post Production | Post Production |

### Television

| Year | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Notes | Ref(s). |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes | Ref(s). |
| 1989, 1991 | Balintataw | No | Yes | "Iskolar" two-part episode; "Lenny" episode | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Film | Film festival | Category | Result |
| 2008 | Melancholia | 65th Venice International Film Festival | Best Film (Horizons) | Won |
| 2013 | Norte, the End of History | 2013 Cannes Film Festival | Prix Un Certain Regard | Nominated |
| 2014 | From What Is Before | 2014 Locarno Film Festival | Golden Leopard | Won |
| 2016 | A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery | 66th Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Nominated |
| 2016 | A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery | 66th Berlin International Film Festival | Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear) | Won |
| 2016 | The Woman Who Left | 73rd Venice International Film Festival | Golden Lion | Won |
| 2018 | Season of the Devil | 68th Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Nominated |
| 2020 | Genus, Pan | 77th Venice International Film Festival | Best Director (Horizons) | Won |