MULA SA KUNG ANO ANG NOON (From What Is Before) ***1/2
Cast: Perry Dizon, Hazel Orencio, Roeder, Karenina Haniel, Reynan Abcede, Miles Canapi, Ian Lomongo, Joel Saracho, Evelyn Vargas.
Dir: Lav Diaz.
Lav Diaz is of course one of the world cinema's masters now. Not just saying that because he comes from my country. After making waves with Norte, he once again makes waves with another even longer, more ponderous film with From What Is Before. This time it's set in the early 1970's and about a remote barrio in the rural areas of the Philippines where a series of mysterious incidents seem to signal the beginning of the dark years of Martial Law under President Marcos. It is 5 and a half hours long....and feels like it but personally I can't imagine it done any other way. The immersive beauty of the film and its long stretches of silences allows one to ponder its rich and dense subtexts especially for one who is from this country. Performances are great of course. Although I felt it should've ended just 10 minutes earlier, this is an affecting piece of work by one of contemporary world cinema's most fascinating voices.
Two more screenings tomorrow and Tuesday at 6:30 in Shang Cinemas.