Shaina is more than grateful for the opportunity that this film has given her
Filipino talent is set to make its mark on the international scene once again as Shaina Magdayao will be representing the country at the upcoming Locarno Film Festival 2023 in Switzerland.
Shaina will be coming together with acclaimed director Lav Diaz for the international screening of “Essential Truths of the Lake.”
The film, which was headlined by Shaina and John Lloyd Cruz, is the Philippine entry and the only Southeast Asian film to be part of the festival’s main competition which will run from August 2 to 12, 2023.
“To be able to represent the country, work with and for the great #LavDiaz and to be given the opportunity to be an instrument in his vision and masterpiece is already a victory for me. Beyond grateful!!!!” Shaina shared this on her Instagram account on July 28, 2023.
Shaina is no stranger to having world premieres as she has worked with Lav in “Ang Panahon ng Halimaw,” which premiered at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival in 2018.
“Essential Truths of the Lake”
“Essential Truths of the Lake” serves as a prequel to the multi-awarded director’s “When The Waves Are Gone,” which premiered out of competition at Venice last year. This prequel reprises the character of the ethically conflicted police lieutenant Hermes Papauran (John Lloyd).
Noted for being one of the best investigators in the Philippines, Hermes is dogged by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody murders and brazen lies, while he continues his struggle to find a resolution to a 15-year-old case around a volcanic ash-laden landscape and an impenetrable lake.
Although dejected, the man remains driven to search for the truth because “maybe he just wants to keep inflicting pain on himself.”
Apart from John Lloyd and Shaina, the film also stars Hazel Orencio, Bart Guingona, and Agot Isidro.
Further adding weight to the project is the fact that it was a multiple-country coproduction by Epicmedia (Philippines), Sine Olivia Pilipinas (Philippines), Films Boutique (France), Rosa Filmes (Portugal), Tier Pictures (Singapore), Volos Films Italia (Italy), and Bord Cadre Films (Switzerland).
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