The Woman Who Left

(Ang babaeng humayo, Lav Diaz, Philippines 2016, 226 min., DCP, Tagalog w/subtitles)

Rochester Premiere. Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Film Festival, Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz’s epic story of revenge deferred functions as a tale of urban theater and class warfare. After thirty years in prison, a woman discovers that her friend and fellow inmate committed the murder of which she was accused. Inspired by Tolstoy, The Woman Who Left is a sensitive expression of family and forgiveness.

“Barely six months after serenading the Berlinale with the eight-hour A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery, Lav Diaz returns with a new feature which is—unlike his previous outing—simple, solid, self-contained and succinct. The Woman Who Left is an immensely immersive and engaging tale about a wronged individual’s grueling struggle between reconciliation and revenge. Featuring Diaz’s immaculate imagery—in high-contrast black and white, as usual—and a majestic performance from Charo Santos, The Woman should leave Venice with a few prizes before its long global trek.” – Clarence Tsui, The Hollywood Reporter