Death in the Land of Encantos () is a Filipino experimental film co-produced, edited, written and directed by Lav Diaz. At 540 minutes (9 hours), it is among the longest films ever made. Awarded the NETPAC Prize, Best Asian Feature at the Jogja Asian Film Festival, the Jeonju FIPRESCI Prize, and Orizzonti Prize (Special Mention) at Venice Film Festival.
Synopsis After spending years in Russia, Benjamin, a Filipino poet returns to Bicol, his hometown after it has been devastated by super typhoon. He is horrified to discover that the entire village has been buried under the landslide. He wanders through the countryside, meeting old friends and former lovers while burying his dead.
Cast
Roeder Camanag as Benjamin Angeli Bayani as Catalina Perry Dizon as Teodoro Dante Perez as Mang Claro / Interviewer Sophia Aves as Amalia Soliman Cruz as Torturer Gemma Cuenca as Carmen At Maculangan as Father
Reception Writing for Cinema Scope Magazine, Robert Koehler praised the film, stating "It’s a cinema viewing experience without parallel, exactly recreating what happens if one were to stand in a large landscape and wait for a person to arrive from the extreme distance."
Awards and nominations Year Event Category Recipient Result2007Venice Film FestivalVenice Horizons Award - Special MentionDeath in the Land of EncantosVenice Horizons AwardLav Diaz200831st Gawad Urian AwardsBest FilmDeath in the Land of EncantosBest DirectionLav DiazBest ScreenplayBest Production DesignLav DiazDante Perez Best ActorRoeder Camanag
See also List of longest films
References
External links