John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual to work together in a new Lav Diaz movie
By Lawrence Andrew Fernandez
Two of the country’s most sought after actors are working with one of our highly-acclaimed directors. John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual will appear in the new Lav Diaz movie, which has the working title “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis.” In his Instagram account, producer Paul Soriano (Toni Gonzaga’s husband) of Ten17P Productions posted a black-and-white picture showing Pascual and Cruz acting out a scene. Star Cinema is also co-producing the film and the movie’s scenes will be taken at Lake Bulusan, Sorsogon.
The movie will also feature other acting luminaries such as Cherie Gil, Bernardo Bernardo, Ronnie Lazaro, and Nonie Buencamino. Also appearing in the film are Alessandra de Rossi, Sid Lucero, Angel Aquino, Hazel Orencio, and singer Ely Buendia. As described, the movie is under the mystery genre and it blends Philippine literature, history, and mythology.
Meanwhile, Diaz is known for his emphasis with the slow camera which results in long takes. Regardless, he has garnered recognition for his work. His latest film, “Mula sa Kung Ano Ang Noon,” won the Golden Leopard (grand prize) at the 67th Locarno International Film Festival. The five-and-a-half-hour film is about the period before Martial Law was implemented in the country.
Also, his four-hour opus Hangganan ng Kasaysayan was given the highest recognition at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. His other directorial works include “Batang West Side,” “Mga Anak ng Unos,” “Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino,” and “Melancholia” which bagged him the Horizons prize at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival.
