Mindanawon director and scriptwriter Sheron Dayoc’s latest film, “The Gospel and The Beast,” has made waves in the international film scene, clinching the Best Feature Narrative award at the 17th Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) last Friday, June 7. This accolade is a testament to the film's profound impact and the exceptional storytelling prowess of its creators.
A Journey of Recognition
“The Gospel and The Beast,” produced by Southern Lantern Studios, has already enjoyed a remarkable journey of recognition. Prior to its success at Balinale, the film was honored with the Golden Star Award for Best Feature Film and the Young Critics Award at the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival. These accolades reflect the film’s resonance with audiences and critics alike, highlighting its powerful narrative and artistic merit.
A Story of Profound Realities
The film delves into the distressing realities faced by a 15-year-old boy grappling with life, death, and the concept of beasthood. After unintentionally killing a classmate, the boy runs away and forms an unlikely relationship with a stranger, leading him on a transformative journey. This poignant tale explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition, offering viewers a deeply moving cinematic experience.
“The Gospel and The Beast” stands out for its compelling storyline and strong direction, as noted by the festival jury. They praised the film’s “engaging narrative arc, strong direction, well-written script, and impressive cinematography,” emphasizing how the protagonist's moral dilemma and eventual path to redemption resonated deeply with audiences.
A Bright Future for Filipino Filmmaking
Sheron Dayoc, who hails from Mindanao, expressed his gratitude and optimism for the future of Filipino filmmaking. He highlighted that the journey has brought continuous learning experiences in both the creative and business aspects of filmmaking, which they hope to apply to upcoming projects. Acknowledging the unique and challenging times faced by the industry, Dayoc conveyed his belief that something exciting, meaningful, and fruitful will emerge from this period of adversity.
Dayoc, along with the producers, cast, and crew, extended heartfelt thanks to the jury and the festival organizers for recognizing their work and providing a platform to share the film with Indonesian audiences in Bali.
