thy womb: September 2012

9/14/12

the heart and soul of a masterpiece

Why the Bisato d'Oro (Golden Eel) prize for Ms. Nora Aunor's performance--given by an independent group of European film critics covering the Venice International Film Festival-- is just as prestigious as the Volpi Cup: Not only is she the first Filipino recipient, she’s also the only female actress of any nationality so far to have received the award.

Moreover, the Bisato d'Oro critics have also factored in all 77 new films shown in Venice--18 films from the Venezia competition section, 33 films from the Orrizonte section (new trends in world cinema), and 25 films sa Out of Competition section (showcasing important works by directors already established in previous editions of the Venice festival) and the opening film The Reluctant Fundamentalist. As good as romping off with the Best Performer award, she bested both the Volpi Cup best actors—Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix for The Master--as well as best actress winner Hadas Yaron for Fill the Void.

Bravissima, La Aunor, the critics' choice as Best Actress "for her class and wisdom that illuminates a film necessary, important and exciting..." (Click the link for the original text in Italian.)

9/12/12

victorious from Venice

Nora Aunor displays her Bisato D'Oro award beside director Brillante Mendoza upon arriving
at the NAIA on Tuesday afternoon. (Eric B. Apolonio/InterAksyon.com)

Nora Aunor and Brillante Mendoza, star and director of the film “Sinapupunan” (“Thy Womb”), came home from a successful sojourn at the 69th Venice Film Festival on Tuesday afternoon to the cheers of fans and a commendation from Congress.

Aunor and Mendoza arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 4:35PM on board Qatar Airways flight QR646, along with co-stars Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral, scriptwriter Henry Burgos, and line producer Larry Castillo.

As expected, Aunor was welcomed by her adoring fans, who waited as early as 1PM at the terminal’s curb side arrival area for a glimpse of their triumphant idol.

The superstar was also mobbed at NAIA exactly a week ago when she and her party departed for the Venice festival, where “Thy Womb” was warmly received by critics and film buyers alike.

On Friday on the eve of the award ceremonies, Aunor was honored with the Bisato D’Oro Award (Golden Eel) from an independent jury of Italian critics for her acclaimed portrayal of a barren Badjao midwife in the film.

Mendoza won two collateral awards at the festival--the La Navicella Award, which was sponsored by a film journal, and a special mention for the P. Nazareno Taddei Award.

These awards awards led critics in Venice to consider “Thy Womb” a dark horse for the Golden Lion best picture prize and Aunor a frontrunner for the Volpi Cup best actress prize heading into the awarding ceremonies on Saturday night.

However, the festival jury gave the Golden Lion to the Korean morality tale “Pieta” and the Volpi Cup to Israeli actress Hadas Yaron for her her performance in the film “Fill the Void”.

Nevertheless, the accolades prompted the House of Representatives to pass a resolution on Monday congratulating and commending Aunor and Mendoza. “Thy Womb” is currently playing at the competition-free Toronto International Film Festival. (InterAksyon.com/ September 11, 2012)

9/11/12

a congressional commendation

A congressional resolution in honor of Ms. Nora Aunor and director Brillante Mendoza for making the nation proud with their international cinematic achievement.

Click this link to read this article: "Nora Aunor Dedicates Her Venice Award to the Filipino People."

9/10/12

the critics' choice, a triumphant tandem

In their first collaboration, the leading actress and director of Thy Womb have proven themselves the pride of Philippine cinema with their world-class caliber:

NORA AUNOR
The first Filipino and the only actress in any nationality to win the Bisato d'Oro (Golden Eel) given by the Premio della Critica Indipendiente, an independent group of European critics covering the Venice International Film Festival. The group judges all the films in the entire Venezia official selection (not only the 18 films in competition but also the more than 50 other cinematic gems in the Orrizonte section and exhibition showcase). “Her class and intelligence as an actress lights up her performance with the necessary and important emotion. Nora Aunor shows that the work of an actress is to communicate ideas with intense expression and to make them credible…” reads the Bisato d’Oro citation.

BRILLANTE MENDOZA
Winner of La Navicella/Venezia Cinema prize from critics and the Rivisita del Cinematografo, an Italian publication. “La Navicella is awarded to the director of a film considered particularly relevant for the affirmation of human values.” The Navicella jury praised Thy Womb “for giving voice to the Bajau community in a respectful and emotionally involved manner… Ethnographic, the film goes beyond naturalism and turns into poetry. Mendoza brings to the screen an act of total love which stands out today as true scandal against frivolous provocation.” The best director at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival, Mendoza has joined an elite company of filmmakers who previously won the La Navicella: Stephen Frears, Abel Ferrara, Zhang Yimou, Louis Malle, and Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow. Mendoza also merited Special Mention for the P. Nazareno Taddei Award won by Kim Ki-duk whose Korean film “Pieta” won Venezia’s Golden Lion.

9/5/12

her director's delight

“Isang tunay na artista! Napakahusay niya! Now I know how great she is as an actress. She's intelligent…Nagugulat ako kasi 'yung ibinibigay niya, sobra pa sa inaasahan ko! I learned from her; ako ang natuto sa kanya! It was really a great privileged working with Nora. Napaka-down to earth. Marunong siyang makisama…from the cast, sa crew, everybody. Napakabait niya at lahat gustong-gusto siya! Ang laki-laki niyang artista pero hindi mo mararamdaman 'yun. Iba si Nora...kakaiba siyang tao at artista! Genuine!”
-- BRILLANTE MENDOZA, as interviewed by showbiz scribe Ronald Rafer.

9/4/12

a writer's conversion

“Hindi po ako Noranian, pero during the shoot, at nang mapanood ko na ang buong film, na-convert po ako! Sobrang galing nya... her maturity and expertise are the fundamental elements needed by the film's character, Shaleha Sarail--the Bajau midwife, the barren woman.”
-- HENRY BURGOS, scriptwriter

9/2/12

saluting the superstar

"Ihanap mo ako ng artista of her stature who would go through what she did during her shoot of Thy Womb…Bow ako! Working with The Superstar is a humbling experience. You forget that she has been in show business since the late sixties, that she has countless records and movies, a long-running TV show, legions of die-hard fans, tons of awards. On and off set, she's fairly patient and quiet. That's why when she asks for something, you listen and rarely refuse. And you realize why: it's the Queen speaking."
-- ROLANDO T. INOCENCIO, actor/assistant director

9/1/12

breathing life to the role of a Bajau midwife

"In the remote island location, the production staff had identified several pregnant women who were due to give birth. There were false alarms. The right one came at midnight. The woman was already in labor for hours. At first there was talk of getting a double for Nora. But she insisted in doing it (the double didn't look like her at all). She was worried she was going to get squeamish. But no, she said, not even when the woman defecated. It was quick. And how would she describe what she saw, the newborn coming out into the world? 'Parang ulo ng manok,' she said. 'At saka parang lumolobo. Noong una maliit tapos biglang lumaki.' It was a boy."
-- WILFREDO PASCUAL, prize-winning essayist

A STORY AS DEEP AS THE SEA

“I am making a film about the Bajaus, with the aim to celebrate a nonviolent people amidst a very violent world. It’s an intriguing premise about a particular people of peace living in a place of endemic violence.

One of the most interesting peoples in southern Philippines, the Bajaus are native sea-dwellers that are also found in the neigh-boring Malaysian and Indonesian archipelagos. They are the so-called sea gypsies who are skilled in building various types of boats, and widely known as fishermen, pearl divers and mat weavers.

As a film, Thy Womb examines the opposing natures of two women (Nora Aunor/Shaleha’s sterility against Lovi Poe/ Mersila’s fertility) to reflect the prevailing condition in Tawi-Tawi, a place endowed with natural beauty and rich resources but mired in economic and socio-political crises. A quiet hell of a paradise, Thy Womb’s “birth place” and its environs are constant reminders of yesterday’s conflict that has remained unresolved up to the present.

The Bajaus are considered to be the most primitive and oppressed among several ethnic groups in the region; and they assume a subordinate status in their diverse and divided community, which includes the Samal and the Tausug, among others. But in spite of this, the Bajaus are generally perceived to be non-confrontational, forgiving, seemingly contented and happy people.

When wronged, it is said that the Bajaus would simply move to another place, bringing their houseboats (lepa-lepa), constantly roving, living in harmony with nature. To this day, they are mostly looked down, degraded and much maligned by their ethnic neighbors and others, thus rendering them harmless, helpless and almost powerless.

But in their heart of hearts, are they really so, or is it just another way of life merely misunderstood by those inured to violence? With this thought and theme, and my curiosity further piqued, the narrative voice of the film has emerged loud and clear.

With intensive research and truthful depiction of certain characters and their circumstances, as articulated in the poignant tale of an aging, childless couple who resolve to find the mother of their much-wanted child, I hope Thy Womb would show a slice of life in the best possible light."

– BRILLANTE MENDOZA