Following its announcement as competition film under the Horizons (Orizzonti) section at the 76th Venice Film Festival, crime drama feature “Verdict” by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez continues to make rounds in international film festivals as it will have its Canadian premiere at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this September 5 to 15, 2019 in Toronto. It is the only Filipino feature film selected at this year’s TIFF.

A scene from "Verdict" by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez (Photo from Toronto International Film Festival website)

A scene from "Verdict" by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez (Photo from Toronto International Film Festival website)

A product of Armando Lao Found Story School of Filmmaking and the Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop, “Verdict” is produced by director Gutierrez’s mentor and film auteur Brillante Mendoza. The film revolves around an abused wife who seeks justice, and stars Max Eigenmann, the late Kristoffer King, Jorden Suan, and Rene Durian.

Behind-the-scenes shot from "Verdict" by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez

Behind-the-scenes shot from "Verdict" by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez

Behind-the-scenes shot from "Verdict" by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez

The “Verdict” cast and crew who will participate at the Venice Film Festival will receive assistance from FDCP through the Agency’s International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP).

A scene from "Verdict" by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez (Photo from Toronto International Film Festival website)

The crime drama film will be screened under the Contemporary World Cinema (CWC) programme which, according to a statement from TIFF, “offers a global snapshot of the world through essential storytelling.” It also “features a wide range of thought-provoking stories that delve into cultural issues and social struggles in poetic and captivating ways.”

A Scene from “We Still Have to Close Our Eyes” by John Torres (Photo from EXis website)

Aside from “Verdict,” the Filipino short film “We Still Have to Close Our Eyes” by John Torres will have its North American premiere at TIFF under the Wavelengths section (Lives of Performers). It previously premiered at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, Korea as part of the Special Screening from ACC Cinema Fund-Re-visionary Frame. The documentary footages were captured from the film shoots of Lav Diaz (Sine Olivia), Erik Matti (Reality Entertainment), Eduardo Dayao (Epicmedia/Globe Studios), Mac Alejandre (Produced by Ricky Lee, Lav Diaz, Mac Alejandre), Dan Villegas (Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects), Joel Ferrer (Regal Entertainment), and Bradley Liew (Epicmedia).

A Scene from “We Still Have to Close Our Eyes” by John Torres (Photo from EXis website)