Heretic Boards Lav Diaz’s Venice Title ‘Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors’

Greek international sales firm Heretic has acquired the international sales rights for Lav Diaz's latest film, 'Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors' (Makikiraan Po). The film is slated to premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, where it will screen in the Out of Competition section. This acquisition marks a significant step for the film's global distribution, with Heretic aiming to bring Diaz's work to a wider international audience.

'Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors' delves into the historical context of Spain's colonial subjugation of the Philippines. This theme is central to the narrative, exploring the enduring impact of colonial rule on Filipino identity and history. Lav Diaz, an acclaimed Filipino auteur, is known for his distinctive cinematic style, often characterized by long takes, deliberate pacing, and profound thematic explorations. His films frequently engage with Filipino history, politics, and social issues, earning him critical recognition on the international festival circuit.

While Diaz is renowned for his lengthy cinematic epics, 'Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors' is noted as one of his comparatively shorter features. The film's runtime is 2 hours and 31 minutes, which, in the context of Diaz's filmography, is considered a more accessible length. His previous works have often exceeded four or even five hours, making this a notable deviation. The Venice Film Festival, one of the oldest and most influential film festivals in the world, provides a prominent platform for 'Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors' to gain visibility and critical attention. The festival's Out of Competition section typically showcases significant films that may not be eligible for the main awards but are nonetheless considered important contributions to cinema.

Heretic, the sales firm handling the film, is based in Greece and has a track record of distributing independent and auteur cinema internationally. Their involvement suggests a strategic approach to marketing and selling 'Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors' to distributors and buyers across various territories. The film's subject matter, combined with Diaz's directorial reputation and its selection for the Venice Film Festival, positions it as a compelling acquisition for international sales. The collaboration between Diaz and Heretic is expected to facilitate the film's journey to cinemas and streaming platforms worldwide, allowing global audiences to engage with its historical narrative and artistic merit.