Death in the Land of Encantos (2007)

A Filipino poet named Benjamin Agusan (Roeder Camanag) is the hapless native who returns to his hometown Padang to witness the aftermath of the super typhoon. For the past seven years, ... See full summary »

Director:

Lav Diaz

Writer:

Lav Diaz (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Roeder, Angeli Bayani, Perry Dizon

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roeder	...	Benjamin Agusan
Angeli Bayani	...	Catalina
Perry Dizon	...	Teodoro
Dante Perez	...	Mang Claro / Interviewer
Sophia Aves	...	Amalia
Soliman Cruz	...	Torturer
Gemma Cuenca	...	Carmen
At Maculangan	...	Father
Jenny Guinto	...	Rosa
Amalia Virtucio	...	Healer / Albularya
Kalila Aguilos	...	Psychiatrist
Juan Francisco Penaranda	...	Young Benjamin
Ashleigh Beatrice Penarada	...	Young Theresa
Jason Escobel	...	Kapre
Benjamin B. Arienda Jr.	...	Interviewee

Storyline

A Filipino poet named Benjamin Agusan (Roeder Camanag) is the hapless native who returns to his hometown Padang to witness the aftermath of the super typhoon. For the past seven years, Benjamin had been living in an old town called Kaluga in Russia. With his grant and residency, he taught and conducted workshops in a university. The poet published two books of sadness and longing in the process. In Russia, Benjamin was able to shoot video collages, fell in love with a Slavic beauty, buried a son, and almost went mad. He came back to bury his dead-father, mother, sister and a lover. He came back to face Mount Mayon, the raging beauty and muse of his youth. He came home to confront the country that he so loved and hated, the Philippines. He came back to die in the land of his birth. He wanders around the obliterated village meeting old friends and lovers.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

Philippines Netherlands

Language:

Filipino Bicolano English Tagalog

Release Date:

30 December 2015 (France)

Also Known As:

Death in the Land of Encantos

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sine Olivia, Hubert Bals Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

540 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was rated X by Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on the grounds of "breast and genitalia exposure." The board's report said members who reviewed the film were Amalia Fuentes, Ros Olgado and Fr. Nick Cruz.

User Reviews

tough 9 hrs, but it was worth it!

i just got home from the cinemateque, where i watched my first lav diaz movie. i was surprised... i like the fact that the camera leaves some space to the actors and to whatever is happening. it captures the whole picture and lets the audience grasp the location, conditions, people, ... if a person appears in the back of the frame, camera waits patiently for him/her to come closer. because of that, it is relaxing to watch the movie, cause you're not just being bombarded with shiny images all the time. the different issues this film touches (art, philosophy, religion, love, family, politics, health, nature...) can satisfy any critical viewer. it is a mixture of documentary and poetry, emphasizes the ties between man and nature, water and fire, questions god ("god knows the truth and waits" - Leo Tolstoy) and the authority. the only (miniature) problem of the movie is its length - i suggest you pick a movie theater with comfy seats (and don't forget to bring food and water). still, i highly recommend it!