Filipino director commended for winning at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival

Brillante "Dante" Mendoza was commended by Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today for attaining the distinction of being the first Filipino to be given the Best Director award at the recently concluded 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

In filing Senate Resolution 1090, Gordon lauded Mendoza's success not only because he won as best director, but also because his films have been chosen for screening at the esteemed festival for three years in a row.

"Mendoza is the epitome of a modern Filipino artist--independent, nationalistic, and with an unwavering desire to raise the consciousness of every Filipino to transcend the grim realities that plague daily life," he said.

In his film "Kinatay", Mendoza bested the likes of acclaimed directors Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion and Quentin Tarantino.

"Kinatay" is acclaimed for its powerful depiction of real-life violence and for touching the viewers' consciousness and emotion in its portrayal of a day in the life of a young trainee policeman winding up with a band of corrupt colleagues who inflict gruesome violence upon a female prostitute.

In 2007 and 2008, Mendoza's films "Foster Child" and "Serbis", respectively, were also chosen for screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Mendoza's success in film direction is attributed to the extensive research and conceptualization of his stories, which render his films a pragmatic and forceful representation of the lives of many Filipinos," Gordon said.