LEAD stars John Lloyd Cruz and Charo Santos-Concio personally graced the world premiere of their film "Ang Babaeng Humayo" (The Woman Who Left) in Venice, Italy.
The two were joined by film director Lav Diaz at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, where they also faced the international movie press.
The movie is the only Asian film vying for Venice's coveted Golden Lion award and is the comeback project of Santos after she retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of ABS-CBN.
"Ang Babaeng Humayo" tells the story of Horacia Somorostro, played by Santos, a woman whose life has become an imprisonment with all its spins and randomness that made it very difficult, vicious, and inexplicable.
Shot in Santos' hometown of Calapan, Mindoro, the film is inspired by Leo Tolstoy's short story "God Sees the Truth but Waits."
"What really struck me when I read it was that neither of us really understands life. We don’t really know. This is one of the most essential truths of existence. And more often, we abide and succumb to life’s randomness,” shared Diaz, who is also the film’s editor and cinematographer.
Joining Cruz and Santos in the movie are Michael de Mesa, Shamaine and Nonie Buencamino, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Mae Paner, Kakai Bautista and Lao Rodriguez.
"Ang Babaeng Humayo" is produced by Cinema One Originals and Sine Olivia. (Sunnex)