Lav Diaz‘s upcoming film “Historya ni Ha” will have its world premiere at the Dare Section of this year’s BFI London Film Festival. The full program of the festival was released earlier today through its official website.
The film stars John Lloyd Cruz as Hernando Alamada and his beloved doll, Ha. The film has powerhouse supporting cast members that include Teroy Guzman, Mae Paner, Dolly de Leon, Jonathan Francisco, Hazel Orencio, Earl Ignacio, Ceian Hazel P. Gabuco, Jun Sabayton, Erwin Romulo and Allen Alzola. Historya ni Ha was shot in 2019 at the majestic town of Sibaltan in Palawan and was produced by Lav Diaz’s film company sine olivia pilipinas.
The film tells the story of Hernando Alamada, a Filipino vaudeville great and a former socialist cadre, who fulfills the last leg of his performing tour on the Mayflower cruise ship. He knows that the Philippines is experiencing a bitter transition yet again; the much-loved and popular president, Ramon Magsaysay, suddenly dies in a plane crash. He arrives in his poverty-stricken barrio, his country’s state and future burdening him heavily, and at the same time, a deep personal turmoil confronts him.
He plods on an aimless journey. Akin to the Filipino ‘bodabil’, he finds himself on the gate of the theater of the absurd, a descent to burlesque, madness, to stark realities, and, ultimately, an ascent to his own redemption.
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