‘Thy Womb’ Gala Night At VIFF A Success

Lovi Poe, Nora Aunor, Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Mercedes Cabral

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

September 7, 2012, 3:51pm

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/372570/thy-womb-gala-night-at-viff-a-success

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MANILA, Philippines – Brillante Mendoza’s film, the Nora Aunor-starrer “Thy Womb (‘Sinapupunan’)” received a standing ovation after its official screening and gala premiere at the 69th Venice International Film Festival (VIFF) on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 6), Venetian time.

In a text message sent to PEP, the film’s line producer Larry Castillo shared, "There was a five-minute standing ovation until the entire Philippine delegates left the cinema. Grabe! Overwhelming response!"

“Thy Womb,” Aunor’s comeback film in which she plays an infertile Badjao midwife, is part of the “Venezia 69,” or the Main Competition Section. It will be vying for the prestigious Golden Lion award along with 17 others from across Asia, Europe and the US.

On Wednesday, Mendoza, Aunor, actresses Lovi Poe and Mercedes Cabral, and other members of the delegation left Manila for Venice to attend the festival. According to the program on the VIFF’s official website, “Thy Womb” will be screened five more times for the duration of the festival: thrice, excluding the gala night, on Sept. 6; and twice on Sept. 7 in different venues.

The VIFF began on Aug. 29 and will run until Sept. 8.

Meanwhile, Mendoza happily related to PEP via phone call that their group was warmly received by the Filipinos in Venice. “As usual, pinagkaguluhan nila si Ate Guy!” he said.

Aunor is among the contenders for the Best Actress award.

Apart from “Thy Womb,” the award-winning Ishmael Bernal-helmed classic “Himala” is also part of the festival under the “Venice Classics” category. Also starring the Superstar, it was recently restored to high definition (HD) quality by the ABS-CBN Restoration Project, in partnership with Central Digital Lab, Inc.