‘Humayo’ wins audience award in Barcelona

Charo Santos (left) and John Lloyd Cruz in “Ang Babaeng Humayo”

Lav Diaz’s “Ang Babaeng Humayo” won the audience award at the Festival de Cinema d’Autor or D’A held recently in Barcelona, Spain.

According to its site, Diaz’s triumph signifies that the fest has a “high degree of cinephilia (love for cinema) … unrestrained and unprejudiced.”

The fest describes Diaz’s film as “torrential.” “Humayo” confirms that “the fest’s followers have cinema in their DNA. The movie’s length (226 minutes) didn’t frighten them—instead, they felt greatly rewarded at the end.”

“Humayo” edged out films like Mike Mills’ “20th Century Women,” Elena Martin’s “Julia Ist,” Ben Wheatley’s “Free Fire” and David Arratibel’s “Converso” in the public voting.

“Cool,” Diaz said of his latest honor. “Nakakahabol na ang masa. (The public is now catching up.)”

Held from April 27 to May 7, the D’A fest is hailed “as the biggest cinematic manifestation” in Barcelona.

This year, 80 films were showcased in the event that gathered film buffs with “a hunger and thirst for good movies.”

Last year’s Golden Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival, “Humayo” will open in US theaters on May 19. —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.