JOHN Lloyd Cruz (left) and Piolo Pascual in “Hele”
After winning the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer prize at the Berlinale, Lav Diaz’s “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” continues to make the rounds of the film festival circuit. The eight-hour historical epic will be shown in six countries. First stop for “Hele” is the Riviera Maya Film Festival in Mexico, from June 24-30. It will also be screened in two A-list events: the Moscow (Russia, June 23-30) and Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic, July 1-9) film festivals. Then, it will proceed to the Jerusalem Film Festival in Israel (July 7-17) and the Melbourne International Film Festival in Australia (July 28-Aug. 14). Lastly, it will be presented at the T-Mobile New Horizons International Film Festival in Poland (July 21-31). Bayani San Diego Jr.