Lav Diaz’s Norte in theaters Sept. 10

MANILA, Philippines - Norte, Hangganan Ng Kasaysayan has been praised by critics all over the world as a masterpiece of cinema. Seeing a Lav Diaz film on the big screen is a transporting and fairly rare experience. Starting on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Filipino moviegoers can experience the masterpiece for themselves as it opens in five Metro Manila theaters.

Jaime Augusto and Lizzie Zobel de Ayala hosted a screening of Norte last Sept. 4 at myCinema in Greenbelt.

“Norte drew me into its pace and cadence,” said Zobel after seeing his first Lav Diaz film. “The lighting and cinematography were excellent, particularly at night, and the juxtapositions of Laoag settings with those of Manila were good.  The themes were many and prescient — the duality of wealth but absent overseas worker parents versus the humble, values-driven closer-knit family, the lack of fair justice, the penitentiary system, the usurious lending structure for those that cannot access other means, the quiet resignation of those with no recourse in life and of course, the beauty of the dignity many have in the middle of much suffering.” 

“I was literally stunned by Norte,” added talent manager Girlie Rodis. “Certain images are still haunting me now. I never imagined I would survive the four-hour running time, but at the end I did not believe it was over.” Artist and entrepreneur Yola Perez Johnson thanked the team behind Norte. “I was so moved. What a great, great movie.”

Businessman Roberto Cuenca declared, “Those who have the fortitude to sit through it will be gifted with a master’s uncompromising vision of love versus hate; alienation versus closeness; inaction versus action; cause and effect; crime and retribution; the inherent injustice of the universe; and perhaps, but only perhaps, salvation.”

“Magnificent,” said businessman Bobby Macasaet. “I saw and continue to see so many metaphors of our society at large. I imagine a second watching would reveal even more. My viewing of Filipino films directed by Lino Brocka, Mike de Leon, Ishmael Bernal and Marilou Diaz-Abaya (perhaps the last golden age of our movies in the ’80s) still remains my touchstone for Philippine cinema, but Lav Diaz has clearly created an incredible work of art.”

“Much of the impact in our small viewing probably came from the fact that it all cuts so close to home in the lives we see around us,” Zobel said. “One cannot watch this movie and be unaffected. It is one thing to view a film with themes that resonate with less than one percent of the population. It is another to see themes that are played out daily with the vast majority of those around us. That hits you in the gut.”

?Norte, Hangganan Ng Kasaysayan stars Sid Lucero, Angeli Bayani and Archie Alemania. The screenplay is by Rody Vera and Diaz with cinematography by Larry Manda. Norte will ?be shown from Sept. 10 to 16 at Glorietta 4, Trinoma, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons East and Greenhills Theater Mall.