From What Is Before (Filipino: Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon) is a 2014 Filipino drama film written, co-produced, photographed, edited, and directed by Lav Diaz. Set during the Marcos dictatorship, the story follows the villagers who face mysterious events in their peaceful community, only to find out that this would start a violent chapter. The film stars Perry Dizon, Roeder Camanag, Hazel Orencio, Karenina Haniel, and Mailes Kanapi.
Produced by Sine Olivia Pilipinas, the film first premiered in the Philippines on July 3, 2014. It was later screened in international film festivals, including in Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland on August 7, where it, a competing entry, won the Golden Leopard, Toronto International Film Festival in Canada on September 7, and Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan on October 24.[a]
Plot
In 1970, at a remote coastal village somewhere in the country, mysterious things occur as wails are heard from the forest, cows are hacked to death, a man is found bleeding to death at the crossroad, and houses are burned.
In the year 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos publicly announced Proclamation No. 1081, a law that put the entire country under Martial Law. Everything became a mess when the Armed Forces of the Philippines decided to camp in the barrio. Or was it already messed up before?
Production
The story is inspired by filmmaker Lav Diaz's childhood during Martial Law, when he witnessed the gunfights between government militias and rebels, bombings, village burnings, and deaths of numerous civilians in his home province.[4]
Cast
- Perry Dizon as Sito
- Roeder as Tony
- Hazel Orencio as Itang
- Karenina Haniel as Joselina
- Reynan Abcede as Hakob
- Mailes Kanapi as Heding
- Ching Valdes-Aran as Babu
- Joel Saracho as Father Guido
Reception
Critical response
Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, gives the film an approval rating of 89% based on 9 reviews, with a weighted average of 7/10.[5]
Mark Angelo Ching, writing for Philippine Entertainment Portal, gave praise to Diaz's direction and cinematography, the set design, and the cast's acting performances.[6]
Accolades
| Award-giving organization / Film Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67th Locarno Film Festival | August 16, 2014 | Golden Leopard (Best Film) | From What Is Before | Won | [1] |
| 38th Gawad Urian Awards | June 16, 2015 | Best Film | From What Is Before | Won | [7][8] |
| Best Direction | Lav Diaz | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Won | ||||
| Best Editing | Won | ||||
| Best Production Design | Perry Dizon | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Marc Locsin | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Hazel Orencio | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Roeder Camañag | Nominated | |||
| Noel Sto. Domingo | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Karenina Haiel | Nominated | |||
See also
Notes
References
- 1 2 Debruge, Peter (August 16, 2014). "Locarno Favorite Lav Diaz's 'From What Is Before' Wins Top Prize". Variety. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- ↑ Pond, Steve (August 12, 2014). "Kristen Stewart, Adam Sandler, John Travolta, Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies Headed to Toronto Film Fest". TheWrap. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- ↑ San Diego Jr., Bayani (October 31, 2014). "Lav Diaz fans turn up in Tokyo fest screening". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- ↑ Bunbury, Stephanie (July 31, 2015). "Lav Diaz's film From What is Before draws on his turbulent childhood in the Philippines". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- ↑ "From What Is Before (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ↑ Ching, Mark Angelo (September 26, 2014). "MOVIE REVIEW: Lav Diaz's epic film Mula Sa Kung Ano Ang Noon". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- ↑ Cagape, Kristhoff (May 22, 2015). "JM de Guzman and Angelica Panganiban bag nominations in 38th Urian Awards". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. ABS-CBN Digital.
- ↑ Mendoza, Arvin (June 18, 2015). "IN PHOTOS: The 38th Gawad Urian awards night". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. Retrieved July 3, 2026.