the best of asia-pacific: triple triumph for a singular performance

The Philippines' greatest performer reaffirms her world-class caliber by winning her third international award as Best Actress for her performance in 'Thy Womb' at the 7th Asian Film Awards (AFA) in Hong Kong. 

As a barren Bajau midwife coping with the cultural burden and irony of her own infertility in Brillante Mendoza's masterpiece, Ms. Nora Aunor previously won the Bisato d'Oro (Golden Eel) critics' prize at the 69th Venice International Film Festival and the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane, Australia. Making history as the first Filipino to win Best Actress in the three awarding ceremonies,  Aunor's world-class achievements in Brillante Mendoza's masterpiece have rendered it a breeze for the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to count her among the awardees of the Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently.

Aunor's performance, celebrated both by foreign and local critics, has been cited in a poll of cinema bloggers as the best of 2012 after she was honored at the 2012 Metro Mania Film Festival where Thy Womb hauled the lion's share of the major awards. It has also romped off similar honors at the Gawad Pasado, a guild of critics from the academe.

Congratulations as well to Mr. Eddie Garcia for winning Best Actor in AFA for his role as a dying gay Noranian. Both Aunor and Garcia have previously collaborated as actress-director in the classic 'Atsay' (where they won as Best Performer and Best Director at the 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival) as co-actors in Leroy Salvador's 'Tinik sa Dibdib' and Joel Lamangan's 'Bakit May Kahapon Pa?' where Aunor won Best Actress at the Gawad Urian and at the Penang International Film Festival in Malaysia. Long live, world-class thespians of the Philippines!

Click the videos below to savor La Aunor's winning moments and her royal treatment from the paparazzi at the red carpet.

Moreover, click the videos of La Aunor's previous victories at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane, Australia as well as at the 69th Venice International Film Festival where she won the critics' prize for Best Actress.

the conquest continues: the best of Asia-Pacific

Congratulations to Ms. Nora Aunor and Brillante Mendoza for their joint victory as best actress and best director, respectively, at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane, Australia.

Ms. Nora Aunor receives her APSA best actress trophy from best director winner
Brillante Mendoza at the national premiere of "Thy Womb" in Davao City.

The maiden cinematic collaboration of Aunor and Mendoza has been widely celebrated since its world premiere at the 69th Venice International Film Festival where they both received prizes from the critics. 

From Venice to Brisbane (and other international venues in Europe and Asia), Aunor and Mendoza have  reaffirmed their status as world-class artists with their historic triumph in APSA-- the first Filipinos to win at the so-called Oscars of the Asia Pacific comprising more than 70 countries-- the most prestigious accolade in cinema at the world's most diverse region. 

Thy Womb is primed for more international awards, hopefully, as it competes at the ongoing 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the 9th Dubai International Film Festival in December. The film is also expected to grace other festivals elsewhere next year. 

See the the video clip from the ceremony during the announcement of winners: 

For more details about the recent APSA victory, click here for the news and also here for a related story. Two thumbs up, "Thy Womb"! 

Click here to access and watch the entire webcast of the APSA ceremony.

fingers crossed for fair chances

Let there be more laurels. As far as fair prospects are concerned for Thy Womb since it hauled three awards on top of the rave reviews from its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, the month of November promises yet another chance for Ms. Nora Aunor and director Brillante Mendoza to take center stage again.

Where Aunor and Mendoza have made history as the first Filipinos to be nominated as best actress and best director at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), hopes are afloat for another round of applause at the APSA ceremony in Brisbane, Australia on the 23rd of November. Seven days later on the 30th, trophies will be handed out to the winners of the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa where Thy Womb is among the 15 films selected for IFFI's International Competition section. 

The film's competitive edge at APSA and IFFI come in the heels of its sold-out exhibition at the ongoing Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) where the audience's reaction has been reported as rapturous as the critics' commendation. “Lyrical and beautifully acted,” exclaims one mini-review echoed by another upbeat dispatch that quoted one film critic/curator: "What a brilliant film! It is very specific, authentic yet very universal."

Such positive vibes for Thy Womb from its audience in Brisbane also radiated from Taiwanese audience who came at the recent Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival where Thy Womb was showcased. “A quiet, fascinating look at Tawi-Tawi..." So went one of the tweets of Ruben Nepales, the incumbent chairperson of the Hollywood Foreign Press, who saw the film in Taipei and left the theater with all thumbs up: “Nora Aunor’s expressive eyes are reasons enough to watch the film. Bravo, Nora Aunor!" (Click here to read Nepales's Twitter comment.)

No less touched and moved by what she saw was Paula Ďurinová, a documentary filmmaker, who watched Thy Womb at the Bratislava International Film Festival in Slovakia. In her personal message to the film's Facebook page, Ďurinová wrote:“I just want to thank you for this amazing film... I am still deeply touched by the story and the characters... so once more I simply thank you for this beautiful, sad, human, strong experience." She added that Aunor's performance "was so natural and honest."

along with the world's best

Reaffirming itself as the year's most internationally acclaimed Filipino film, "Sinapupunan" (Thy Womb) will soon be shown in Poland for the 8th Cinema Festival World Edition  as one of the selected movies from Latin America, Asia, and Africa that have had their world premieres at major international film festivals. It will be held in five major Polish cities--Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Poznan, & Wroclaw--from November 22 to December 3, 2012. 

Unofficial Fan Poster: BERNIE PLACIDO

The announcement from Poland came in the heels of an official news from the 9th Dubai International Film Festival where Brillante Mendoza's film is set to compete for major awards.  (Click for the link to the news.) 

Also scoring historic nominations for best actress (Nora Aunor) and best director (Mendoza) at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), the film about the Bajau sea gypsies in southern Philippines has been officially selected either in competition or exhibition at various international film festivals in Venice, Toronto, Busan, Bologna, Vienna as well as in Brisbane and in the Indian city of Goa (official news to be announced soon). 

Meanwhile, the European tour of the Aunor-Mendoza collaboration continues in Slovakia for the 14th International Film Festival of Bratislava.  More invitations to other international filmfests to be announced soon. 

living up to the legend

Cruising through a high tide of critical acclaim, "Sinapupunan"(Thy Womb) continues to make waves with the force of nature embodied by its legendary lead actress. "Nora Aunor's performance is spectacular in 'Thy Womb'. It is a very very beautiful film," raves Maxine Williamson, the artistic director of the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) where Aunor and Brillante Mendoza have made history as the first Filipinos to be nominated for best actress and best director, respectively. Awards night for the most prestigious cinematic accolade in the region (comprising 70 countries) will be on Nov. 23 in Brisbane, Australia. (Click the link to access the Williamson's interview.) 

“Nora Aunor is a Filipino screen legend. She’s also a hugely popular singer with unprecedented record sales, and a television host and actress. She has to date appeared in over 170 films, including the multi-award winning films Bona (1980), Himala (1982), The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) and Naglalayag (2009). In 1999, Aunor received the Centennial Honour for the Arts awarded by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines.” So goes the testimony for Aunor at the APSA website. (Click the link to access the nominee's tribute page)  

“I don’t think there could be anyone who would be able to portray her role in 'Thy Womb.' I only had her in mind when I thought of the film. The role is very intense and character-driven. There is not much dialogue. Nora’s eyes are very expressive that words become useless when she projects the emotions needed…” affirms Brillante Mendoza. (Click the link for the full article.)

Humility and artistic ferocity become her, adds the director who says that Aunor refused preferential or VIP treatment for her at the set. Moreover, her much-heralded acting prowess is matched only by her creative courage in pushing herself to the limit despite the dangerous conditions during the shoot--leaping off a boat onto a shark-infested water, ushering in a real birth of a baby, etc.-- to fulfill the requirements of her role as a self-sacrificing Bajau midwife. Mendoza has been quoted profuse with praise for the Superstar: "I know she’s good but I never thought she’s this good. My God, grabe!” (Click the link for the full article.)

Citing her down-to-earth attitude as well as her exemplary contribution to Philippine culture and arts, Mendoza affirms Aunor as deserving to be conferred the long overdue National Artist award. "Para sa akin si Nora Aunor ang epitome ng pagiging artist," explains Mendoza, who is the first Filipino to win the best director prize at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2009. Regarding his first time to work with Aunor, he swears: "Other actors of her time, of her generation parang...I can't see them doing or delivering what she has done in this film..." (Click the link for the full article.) 

The winning streak of the Mendoza-Aunor collaboration started when it was officially selected for a world premiere (in competition) at the world's oldest international film festival in Venice where the critics honored Aunor as best actress. The film also won two other special awards for "giving voice to the Bajau community in a respectful and involved manner...Ethnographic, the film goes beyond naturalism and turns into poetry..." and succeeds in expressing "authentic human values." (Click the link for the full article.) 

from Venice to Vienna and everywhere

Making a splash as a showcase of world-class cinema, "Sinapupunan" (Thy Womb)  rows further ahead to foreign shores as it braces for the global spotlight once again with its Austrian premiere at the 50th Vienna International Film Festival. Since its world premiere in competition at the 69th Venice International Film Festival last September, the rave reviews have been consistent in other exhibitions at the festivals in Toronto, Bologna, and Busan.

Up next is another chance to win the awards for best actress (Nora Aunor) and best director (Brillante Mendoza) at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)  in Brisbane, Australia come November. Aside from being one of the films selected to be showcased at the 8th World Cinema Festival (set in five major cities in Poland) from the last week of November to early December, "Sinapupunan" (Thy Womb) is also set to compete at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa as well as at the 9th Dubai International Film Festival before the year ends. An official entry at the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival,  the Mendoza-Aunor collaboration is definitely going places. 

making history with more honors for the country

After copping the critics' prizes at the recent Venice International Film Festival, Ms. Nora Aunor and director Brillante Mendoza are both set to sustain their winning streak with their historic nominations at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane, Australia. Both Aunor and Mendoza are the first Filipinos to be nominated in their respective categories for Best Actress and Best Director. Congratulations! Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino! (Click the link for more details about the cultural significance of APSA and the other nominees.)

Design: BERNIE PLACIDO

Aunor--who has the distinction of being 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 69th Venice International Film Festival--is up in contention with high-profile actresses from South Korea, the Russian Federation, India, and Pakistan:

Design: BERNIE PLACIDO

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.)

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)

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."

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.