BRILLANTE Mendoza brought another honor to the country as he wins Best Director at the 54th Gijon International Film Festival in Spain.
The seasoned director bagged the trophy for his critically acclaimed film "Ma' Rosa" starring veteran actress Jaclyn Jose.
Back in May, Jose won the Best Actress award at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in France for her role in the movie.
Jose is the first Filipina and South East Asian actress to take home the coveted trophy.
Meanwhile, "Ma' Rosa" was also chosen by the Film Academy of the Philippines last September to officially represent the country at the 89th Academy Awards.
It was chosen among other shortlisted Filipino-produced films, including Gil Portes' "Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli," Erik Matti's "Honor Thy Father," Joel Lamangan's "Felix Manalo," Eduardo Roy's "Pamilya Ordinaryo," Derick Cabrido's "Tuos," and Lav Diaz's "Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis" and "Ang Babaeng Humayo."
"Ma' Rosa" tells the story of Rosa Reyes, played by Jose, a sari-sari store owner from a poor neighborhood of Manila who resorts to selling drugs to make ends meet.
The film also features Julio Diaz, Baron Geisler, Mon Confiado, Neil Ryan Sese, Felix Roco, Mercedes Cabral, Maria Isabel Lopez, Allan Paule, Ruby Ruiz, Jomari Angeles, and Mark Anthony Fernandez. (Sunnex)
