©Epicmedia, Sine Olivia Pilipinas, Films Boutique, Rosa Filmes, Tier Pictures, ARTE France Cinéma.
Essential Truths of the Lake, the latest work from acclaimed Philippine director Lav Diaz, arrives at the Locarno Film Festival as a fascinating prequel to last year’s When the Waves Are Gone. It is a film of contradiction, complexity, and deep resonance, weaving political commentary, existential pondering, and a grounded police procedural into a textured and innovative work.
Directed by: Lav Diaz
Year: 2023
Country: Philippines, France, Portugal, Singapore, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Length: 215 minutes
The story follows Hermes Papauran, a respected police officer portrayed with layered gravitas by John Lloyd Cruz. Papauran is a man torn by conflicting loyalties and ethical obligations; a servant of the law at a time when the Duterte regime’s tightening grip is distorting law enforcement into an instrument of cruelty. The moral quandary Papauran finds himself in is a microcosm of a society caught between duty and humanity, justice and corruption.
In typical Diaz fashion, Essential Truths of the Lake does not shy away from the brutal realities of life under a regime that shows little regard for human dignity or compassion. The film explores the system’s inherent violence, not only against the economically marginalized but also specifically against women. It paints a disturbing picture of patriarchal oppression, objectification, and a culture that devalues female voices and agency.
What sets this film apart from its predecessor and most of Diaz´s other works is the element of surrealism. As Papauran delves into a 15-year-old cold case, a search that becomes a metaphor for his struggle to reconcile with his own conscience, the narrative takes on a dark and haunting quality, reminiscent of the films by David Lynch. Shadows become more profound, the lines between reality and nightmare blur, and the inner turmoil of our protagonist is externalized in unsettling ways.
Despite the bleakness and despair that permeate the first half of the film, Diaz masterfully balances the darkness with glimmers of hope and community. The journey towards redemption (if one is to believe that is possible for a police officer) and self-discovery manifests itself through the power of connection and shared humanity. This evolution in storytelling techniques from Diaz is not only refreshing but expertly executed, taking advantage of a clear increase in budget without sacrificing the director’s trademark authenticity.
John Lloyd Cruz’s performance as Papauran is a nuanced triumph, embodying the weight of moral dilemmas and internal conflicts with subtlety and depth. His portrayal adds flesh and blood to the universal themes Diaz explores, grounding them in a character that feels painfully real.
One cannot overlook the film’s backdrop—the looming threat of natural disasters. This omnipresent danger serves as a poetic reminder of our vulnerability as a species and the fragile balance of existence. The cruelty and degradation inflicted by human hands are paralleled by nature’s unpredictable wrath, creating a layered metaphor for life in the Philippines and beyond.
Yet, Essential Truths of the Lake is not without its tender moments. The cautious optimism and resilience that unfold throughout the film are testaments to the indomitable human spirit. In focusing on the potential for redemption, healing, and community building, Diaz transcends the confines of political criticism and elevates his work into a universal meditation on humanity by offering an alternative.
To conclude, Essential Truths of the Lake is a significant accomplishment in Lav Diaz’s filmography. It builds on the foundations laid in When the Waves Are Gone, yet it confidently strides into new territories with its thematic depth, narrative complexity, and stylistic boldness. It is a film that challenges, engages, and ultimately enriches the viewer, affirming Diaz’s position as a filmmaker of substance and vision. The Locarno Film Festival audience is in for an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally stirring.
Essential Truths of the Lake premiered at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival as part of the festival´s International Competition.
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