Lav Diaz is a filmmaker based in the Philippines. He’s renowned for his contemplative narrative style and extensive exploration of the Filipino socio-political landscape through cinema. His work often delves into the themes of history, suffering, and the human condition, marked by a style that involves long takes and black&white visuals. Diaz's major films include NORTE, THE END OF HISTORY (2013), FROM WHAT IS BEFORE (2014), and THE WOMAN WHO LEFT (2016), which have garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards at prestigious international film festivals such as the Venice Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.