The Woman Who Left

Set in the Philippines in the 1990s, The Woman Who Left follows Horacia, a former primary school teacher who has spent thirty years in a women's prison for a murder she did not commit. When the real perpetrator is revealed, she is released and returns to a country she barely recognises, marked by corruption, violence and a wave of kidnappings targeting the wealthy. Her search for the people she lost leads her back to the man who arranged her conviction: Rodrigo, a prosperous former lover who acted out of jealousy. Horacia moves through this world by day as a woman rebuilding a shattered life and by night in disguise, drifting close to Rodrigo's property, while her friendship with the trans woman Hollanda and her contact with an homeless woman, Mameng, bring her nearer to the vengeance she wants.

Lav Diaz directed and wrote the film, which came after his contribution to the anthology Venice 70: Future Reloaded and before Magellan and Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors. Charo Santos leads the cast as Horacia, with John Lloyd Cruz, Michael De Mesa, Nonie Buencamino, Marjorie Lorico and Lao Rodriguez.

Made on a budget of four million dollars, the film runs 229 minutes. It holds a 7.1 rating on IMDb from around 1,800 votes and 6.9 on TMDB from 68 votes, a narrower and more moderate response.