Lola
by Brillante Mendoza

Lola Sepa's grandson has been killed by a cell phone snatcher. Despite being devastated by the sudden violence, she must bear the burden of making the funeral arrangements. She and her family are poor, and there is not enough money for the coffin nor the legal pursuit against the suspected murderer. But the elderly woman is ready to even seek a bank loan to assure both a proper burial and justice for her beloved grandson. Lola Puring is committed to getting her grandson Mateo out of jail, although he has been accused of senselessly murdering Lola Sepa's grandson. But the poor aged woman doesn't have the bail money. Each time she visits her grandson in prison to bring him proper meals, it breaks her heart to see him wasting away behind bars with countless others. At the first court hearing, the two grandmothers must face one another. Both frail and poor, each is determined to do everything necessary for her grandson. The future of the case is dependent on grandmotherly love...
»Lola« is director Brillante Mendoza's second film produced in 2009. His »Kinatay« was presented at the Cannes Film Festival, winning for Mendoza the prestigious Best Director award. »Lola« is the first Filipino film in the Venice Film Festival competition since 1985. Mendoza previously made history in 2008 when his film »Serbis« became his country's first film in the Cannes Film Festival official competition since 1984. Brillante Mendoza was born in San Fernando, Philippines. He studied fine arts and advertising at Manila's University of Santo Tomas. Before directing, he worked as an acclaimed production designer in films, commercials and theater.
2009 »Lola«, »Kinatay«
2008 »Serbis« (Service), »Tirador« (Slingshot)
2007 »Foster Child«
2006 »Manoro« (The Teacher), »Kaleldo« (Summer Heat)
2005 »Masahista« (The Masseur)
Anita Linda - Lola Sepa
Rustica Carpio - Lola Puring (Mateo's Grandmother)
Tanya Gomez - Ditas
Jhong Hilario - Bebong (Mateo's Brother)
Ketchup Eusebio - Mateo (The suspected Murderer)
Director: Brillante Mendoza
Executive Producer: Didier Costet
Producer: Ferdinand Lapuz
Screenplay: Linda Casimiro
Cinematographer: Odyssey Flores
Production Designer: Dante Mendoza
Film Editor: Kats Serraon
Music: Teresa Barrozo
Sound: Albert Michael Idioma / Addiss Tabong
Format: 35 mm / 24fps / 1:1,78 / Color / Stereo
Length: 110 min
Original Language: Tagalog
Original title: Lola
Click here for the »Lola« artwork

