Young filmmaker Pepe Diokno thus said after taking home two major awards at the 66th Venice Film Festival for his independent film “Engkwentro.”
Engkwentro, which depicts state-sponsored vigilante killings in the country, won the best debut film in the Orizzonti (New Horizons) competition as well as the “Luigi De Laurentis” award for debut film. He is the youngest Filipino director to receive the top prize at the Orizzonti category.
The movie was the 21-year-old filmmaker’s first feature-length film, and it was also his first time to join and win at an international major film festival.
‚ÄúAng daming magagandang [films] doon sa Venice. It‚Äôs one of the best film festivals in the world… Talagang na-surprise kami. Hindi ko na alam kung ano iyong sinabi ko noong tinanggap ko na iyong award,‚Äù he told ABS-CBN News in an interview upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
He recalled that his “mind went blank” and there was a moment of disbelief when he heard the presenters called out his film. After all, he explained, those were major awards and there were more than 20 excellent debut films from different nations competing in the festival.
He added that the competition was very stiff. This year’s Venice Golden Lion for best film and the Silver Lion (best director) award were given to two debut films.
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