TOKYO – Golden Lion-winning Filipino auteur Lav Diaz’s latest film, “Phantosmia,” will be screened at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), running from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6.
The four-hour, black-and-white Philippine drama will be showcased in the World Focus section on Oct. 28 and Nov. 2 at Humantrust Cinema Yurakucho, and on Nov. 5 at Marunouchi Toei.
The film stars Ronnie Lazaro, Janine Gutierrez, Hazel Orencio, Paul Jake Paule, Arjay Babon, Dong Abay, Allen Alzola, Jay-R Escandor, Heart Puyong, Mitzi Comia, Vince Macapobre, Mark Lorenz Rey, Toni Go, Lhorvie Nuevo, and Edrick Alcontado.
The synopsis reads: Hilarion Zabala’s (Lazaro) mysterious olfactory problem has recurred; a counselor/psychiatrist suspects it to be a lingering case of phantosmia, a phantom smell, and possibly caused by trauma, a deep psychological fracture. One recommended radical process to cure the ailment was that Hilarion must go back and deal with the darkest currents of his past life in the military service. Reassigned in the very remote Pulo Penal Colony, he must also confront the horrific realities of his present situation.
Produced by TEN17P and Sine Olivia Pilipinas, the film premiered in the Out-of-Competition section at this year’s Venice International Film Festival. - Florenda Corpuz