After winning at the prestigious special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, ‘Verdict’ will now be the official entry of the Philippines to rue Oscars.
The Raymund Ribay Gutierrrez’s debut feature will compete with other countries for the International Feature Film category at the 92nd Academy Awards or Oscars in 2020.
‘Verdict’ was chosen by a jury led by Jose Carreon together with Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairmna Liza Dino and other members of the Film Academy of the Philippines.
The film talks about the story of abuse and a battered wife seeking justice. It stars the late Kristoffer King and Max Eigenmann.
It had a special screening during the run of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
Gutierrez was mentored by Cannes award-winning director Brillante Mendoza.
“This is what’s happening. Things are not black and white. The law is not always fair. Filmmaking is about life and I just want to show how life is and at this stage of my career, I am interested in the serious side of life,” Gutierrez told The Hollywood Reporter.
The 26-year-old Gutierrez’s first short Imago (2016) won the Toronto festival’s Short Cuts Award while his second Judgement (2018) was nominated. Both were also nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
The Philippines have never received an Oscar nomination in the foreign film category.
