Push Admin

John Lloyd Cruz, Shaina Magdayao film to have world premiere in Switzerland

Article (news)

Stephanie Rose Manhit

<p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">With Director Lav Diaz’s <em>Essential Truths of the Lake</em> slated to make its world premiere in Switzerland this coming August 6, 2023, Filipino talent is set to make its mark on the international scene once again.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“We’re proud to be able to have it screened there,” said the acclaimed filmmaker. “It’s in Locarno, which is a great film festival because of its programming.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><em>Essential Truths of the Lake</em> will be headlined by John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Both actors have worked with Lav on previous projects. One of the projects Shaina worked with him on was <em>Ang Panahon ng Halimaw </em>which premiered at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival. John Lloyd has also worked with Lav before on <em>Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis </em>which won the Alfred Bauer prize at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(220, 161, 13)"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2016/3/3/fresh-scoops/lav-diaz-recounts-his-conversation-with-meryl-stre-95797" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><span style="color:#000000"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2016/3/3/fresh-scoops/lav-diaz-recounts-his-conversation-with-meryl-stre-95797" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>READ: Lav Diaz recounts his conversation with Meryl Streep</u></strong></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">It is no mean feat to be included in the Locarno Film Festival. This year, the international festival will feature over 200 films from all over the world. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“Locarno is no different from Venice, Berlin, and Cannes,” explained Lav. “It is really up there with those three festivals.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">The film is the Philippines’ entry to the main competition of the 2023 Locarno Film Festival which will run from August 2 to 12, 2023. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">It will be shown alongside only 16 other international films  at the Concorso Internationale, which “features works shown primarily as world premieres, coming from all over the globe and competing for the prestigious Pardo d’oro.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Lav is no stranger to international film festivals. His work has been recognized several times, including at the Locarno Film Festival in 2014. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“We’re really proud because… it was the first really big cinema prize for the country,” said Lav then. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">He also won the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival for <em>Ang Babaeng Humayo</em> and the Silver Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival for <em>Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis</em>. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Lav shared that <em>Essential Truths of the Lake</em> was an idea developed prior to <em>When the Waves are Gone</em>, a 2022 film shown in the out of competition category at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“I pursued the completion of the film in late 2020. I went to Sorsogon to find locations there, but during my two months of stay there, the story evolved. I pursued the new incarnation of the narrative and it became ‘<em>When the Waves are Gone</em>,’” shared Lav. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><em>When the Waves are Gone</em> tells the story of Lt. Hermes Papauran, played by John Lloyd Cruz, who find himself at a moral crossroads after witnessing a brutal anti-drug campaign. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">While John Lloyd will reprise his role as Lt. Papauran, Lav clarified that the two films are not exactly connected to each other. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“In a way, <em>‘When the Waves are Gone</em>’ is related to ‘<em>Essential Truths of the Lake,</em>’ but only because of the character Lt. Hermes Papauran,” Lav explained. “It’s not connected like one is a sequel or prequel of the other. They’re independent of each other.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Lav shared that work for <em>Essential Truths of the Lake</em> actually began as far back as January 2020, at the heels of the eruption of Taal Volcano. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">The multi-awarded filmmaker also revealed how he and John Lloyd went in disguise to be able to enter the area. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“With John Lloyd, we were able to go inside Barangay Tranca, Talisay, which is one of the most devastated areas in Batangas,” he recalled. “We disguised ourselves as bureau reporters of ABS-CBN, so we were allowed access to the area by the soldiers supervising the evacuation.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">The location was in ruins, as one would expect after such a disaster. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“The place was covered with thick mud. Ashes were everywhere, and there was hardly anyone around anymore,” Lav narrated. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“I made up a story about a police officer investigating a cold case—a missing model/activist,” he continued. “At the time, I still didn’t know where the story would go. I just wanted to record images that show the irony and contradiction of one’s search for truth in a place that’s desolate. As one of the film’s characters say, ‘Nag-iimbestiga ka ng kasong labing-limang taon nang walang sagot sa isang pook na nilibing ng bulkan? At nariyan pa ang napakamisteryosong lawa.’”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Despite the multiple awards and accolades, Lav remains faithful to his purpose as an artist. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“I make films for cinema, not for the festivals,” Lav declared during the release of <em>When the Waves are Gone</em>.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">His intent with his movies joining international film festivals is “to inspire our filmmakers and cultural workers to work harder and make better films.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">This sentiment remains the same until now. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“Our being there is our contribution to cinema’s relevance to world culture,” explained Lav. “We are sharing our stories, our struggle, the struggle of humanity. We are part of the greater discourse.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p><i>Director Lav Diaz recalled going in disguise with John Lloyd Cruz as they made 'Essential Truths of the Lake,, the country’s entry to the 76th Locarno Film Festival. </i></p>

Director Lav Diaz recalled going in disguise with John Lloyd Cruz as they made 'Essential Truths of the Lake,, the country’s entry to the 76th Locarno Film Festival.

John Lloyd Cruz, Shaina Magdayao film to have world premiere in Switzerland

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Showbiz

John Lloyd Cruz, Shaina Magdayao film to have world premiere in Switzerland

Ann Manhit

Published July 08, 2023 08:59 AM PHT

Read More:

Lav Diaz

John Lloyd Cruz

Shaina Magdayao

Locarno Film Festival

film festival

When the Waves are Gone

Essential Truths of the Lake

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.