Domestic abuse is an all-too
familiar and uncomfortable real-life story for many Filipinos across the
country. Depictions of it, whether made-up or based on letters and
recollections of actual people involved, tend to take a prominent place in the
plots of TV dramas and films. Indie film “Verdict” from Centerstage Productions
is such a movie, about a mother’s quest for justice after she and her daughter
are battered bloody by her husband. It has received a jury prize at this year’s
Venice Film Fest, and was chosen to be the Philippine candidate for Best
Foreign Film at the 92nd Oscars.
And now, the movie is bringing in
more honors from closer to home at the 2019 Asia Pacific Screen Awards this
past Thursday, November 21. The ceremony, held in Brisbane, Australia according
to ABS-CBN News, named “Verdict” lead
star Max Eigenmann as its Best Actress awardee. It was both a momentous
occasion for the actress and another feather in the collective cap of her
family of actors, considered to be one of the Philippines’ “showbiz royalty
clans.” Thus much was made evident when Eigenmann received her Asia Pacific
Screen Award.
— Asia Pacific Screen Awards (@APScreenAwards) November 21, 2019
On her acceptance speech, Max gave
due credit to her co-stars, director Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, producer
Brillante Mendoza, and their crew for helping to realize “Verdict,” which has
been proving itself an awards darling. She also gave heartfelt dedications to
her departed father, legendary actor Mark Gil, and her costar Kristoffer King,
who also passed away two months after completion of filming. “Being here
tonight has truly been one of the most momentous and exciting experiences of my
life,” Max noted to the APSA audience. “Receiving this is beyond anything that
I expected or imagined.”
“Verdict” sees long-suffering
housewife Joy (Eigenmann) finally reaching the limits of her restraint upon
seeing her child Angel (Jordhen Suan) also being physically abused by her
violent husband Dante (King). Taking the matter to court, a facially scarred Joy
must then plead her case to see justice done, in the face of rising legal
costs, a crafty lawyer defending her husband, and a seemingly-ambivalent judge.
The independent 2019 film has been exhibited at film festivals in Busan,
Toronto, and Venice where it was awarded the Orizzonti New Horizon special jury
prize. It was also screened locally from September 13 to 19 as part of this
year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
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