Meet the Artist
Lav Diaz
Lav Diaz (b.1958, Philippines) is an independent Filipino film-maker who has been making films since the 90s. Diaz’s films confront the history, struggle and traumas of his country, raising the question of what it means to be a Filipino today. His work investigates the country's past as marked by Spanish colonization (1521–1898), American rule (1898–1946), Japanese occupation (1942–1945) and Ferdinand Marcos’ fascist dictatorship (1972–1986). His films have received many awards and international acclaim. Death in the Land of Encantos, (2007) and Melancholia (2008) both won awards at the Venice Mostra. Norte, the End of History, was presented in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. His 2014 film From What Is Before earned him the Golden Leopard at Locarno Film Festival. In 2016, A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlinale and The Woman Who Left, won the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice Mostra. His latest film Season of the Devil is competing for the Golden Bear in the 2018 Berlinale. Diaz is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship (2010), and a Prince Claus Award (2014).