Filipino Film ‘Norte’ a Finalist for Independent Spirit Awards
av Diaz, Hazel Orencio, Angeli Bayani, Moira Lang, and Archie Alemania at Cannes Film Festival
Looks like the Filipino film Norte is taking its name literally, because the only direction it’s taking is up. Besides being the country’s official entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category at next year’s Oscars, Norte is also a nominee for the Best International Film category of the Independent Spirit Awards, an award-giving body dedicated to independent films. The Indie Spirit Awards is usually seen as a preview of the Oscars.
Sid Lucero plays Fabian, an intellectual frustrated with his country’s never-ending cycle of betrayal and apathy
Norte, directed by legendary filmmaker Lav Diaz, is a four-hour film that follows three people as a crime gets committed. Archie Alemania’s Joaquin is falsely accused of his money lender’s murder, and his arrest and solitude transforms him into a different man. His wife Eliza, portrayed by Angeli Bayani, struggles to support her family without him. And Sid Lucero is Fabian, the real murderer, who roams free and becomes disillusioned with his country, affecting his sanity.
Since it screened, it was nominated for multiple awards at Cannes, Cinemanila International Film Festival, Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival, International Cinephile Society Awards, and the Gawad Urian Awards. It was also recognized by many worldwide polls listing 2013’s best films.
In the Indie Spirit Awards, Norte competes with Sweden’s Force Majeure, Poland’s Ida, Canada’s Mommy, Russia’s Leviathan, and United Kingdom’s Under the Skin.
The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on February 21, 2015, a day before the Oscars.
Watch the trailer below:
Have you seen Lav Diaz’s Norte? Do you think it should win the Indie Spirit Award? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Filipino Film ‘Norte’ a Finalist for Independent Spirit Awards
