Songs from the Past: Films Travel in Time

With: Lav Diaz, moderated by Vincenzo Bugno
Topics: #Directing #Berlinale Competition #Screenwriting #Musical #Political Cinema

To say that the films of Lav Diaz are poetic, uncompromising and “very Filipino” is an understatement. Diaz is widely known as one of the central figures of the slow cinema movement, emphasising observational long takes, long shots distancing the viewer from the characters and running times averaging eight hours. Elucidating the stinging realities and suppressed mysteries of his nation’s history, Diaz’s films sweep his viewer up in an elastic and quotidian experience of time and space. Back in Berlin to premiere his newest, four hour-long musical Season of the Devil in Competition, Diaz contemplates how he adds cinematic subtexts to his stories and why awakening the ghosts of the past can lend meaning to the secrets of our existence.

Lav Diaz

Lav Diaz is a director, writer, producer, editor, cinematographer, poet, musician, composer, production designer and actor who has been called “the ideological father of the New Philippine Cinema.” Since 1998 he has directed twelve films and won many international awards including the Orizzonti Grand Prize in Venice for MELANCHOLIA in 2008, the Golden Leopard at Locarno in 2014 for FROM WHAT IS BEFORE, the Silver Bear at the 2016 Berlinale for A LULLABY TO THE SORROWFUL MYSTERY and the Golden Lion in Venice for THE WOMAN WHO LEFT in 2016. SEASON OF THE DEVIL is premiering in competition at this year’s Berlinale.

Vincenzo Bugno

Vincenzo Bugno worked as a journalist and film critic; for several years he has been a consultant/curator for film festivals. Since 2002 Vincenzo Bugno has worked at the Berlinale in various capacities, as Selection Committee Member and Festival Delegate. He is the Head of the Berlinale World Cinema Fund, founded 2004 with the objective of supporting film production in regions lacking a structurally strong film industry. He is also Curator of the TFL-TorinoFIlmLab.