For the first time in the forty fourth (44th) history of the existence of the prestigious Gawad Urian of the critics group Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), a documentary film won the top plum at the virtual awarding screened in the org’s YouTube Channel.
While the previous years had all full-length features garnered the most important honors, the documentary film “Aswang,” a foray into the bloody drug war of the Duterte administration, bagged this year’s Best Film.
“Aswang” also won the Best Director award for Alyx Ayn Arumpac and the Best Cinematography trophy for Arumpac and Tanya Haurylchyk.
Meanwhile, Alessandra de Rossi romped away with the Best Actress award for her role as a mother who turned police informant to shield her children from drugs lords in “Watch List” and Fernando Josef, also known as Nanding Josef, took home the Best Actor prize for his role as a miner who died unjustly in the hands of unscrupulous and powerful individuals.
Alessandra had been dreaming of the Urian trophy all her life and she was fulfilled to have clinched her elusive dream.
The Best Supporting Actress plum was a tie between Dexter Doria for her role as a supportive mom of a gay lover in “Memories of Forgetting” and Hazel Orencio for her role as a sluggish and mentally incapacitated daughter of a miner who fought for justice for her father.
Micko Laurente brought home the Best Supporting Actor bacon as son of a woman police informant in “Watch List.”
Other winners in the 2021 Gawad Urian: Darrel Manuel, Best Production Design (“Memories of Forgetting”); Jay Altarejos, Best editing (“Memories of Forgetting”); Lav Diaz, Best Screenplay (“Lahi, Hayop”); Corrine de San Jose, Best Sound (“Midnight in a Perfect World”); “Aswang,” Best Documentary; Paulo Protacio and Jaye Cura, Best Music (“The Boy Foretold by the Stars”); “Ola,” Best Short Film by Mijan Jumalon and “Hayop Ka!,” Best Animation.
The MPP also recognized the ten outstanding “Pelikula ng Dekada,” namely “Damgo ni Eleuteria Remton” by Remton Siega Zuasola; “Ang Pagsayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” by Alvin Yapan; “Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim” by Arnel Mardoquio; “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” by Lav Diaz; “Women of the Weeping River” by Sheron Dayoc; “Baboy Halas” by Bagane Fiola; “Tu Pug Imatoy” by Arnel Barbarona; “Respeto” by Treb Monteras; “Balangiga” by Khavn de la Cruz; “Buy Bust” by Erik Matti and “Babae at Baril” by Rae Red.
Meanwhile, the “Gawad Dekada para sa mga Natatanging Aktor at Aktres” awardees are John Lloy Cruz, Angeli Bayani, Alessandra de Rossi and Nora Aunor.
Lav Diaz is this year’s Natatanging Gawad Urian recipient for his valuable achievements and contributions to Philippine cinema.