‘The Handmaiden’ leads Asian Film Awards noms; Lav Diaz film gets 3 nods

Park Chan-Wook's lesbian thriller "The Handmaiden" leads the 11th Asian Film Awards nominations, getting a nod in six categories—excluding Best Film.

The five films in the running for Best Film are: "The Wailing" (South Korea); "The Age of Shadows" (South Korea); "Harmonium" (Japan); "Godspeed" (Taiwan); and "I Am Not Madame Bovary" (China).

"The Handmaiden" also failed to bag a Best Director nomination for Park Chan-Wook. The film will be competing in the Best Supporting Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenwriter, Best Production Designer, Best Editor, and Best Costume Designer categories.

South Korean zombie film "Train to Busan" trails "The Handmaiden" in number of nominations with 5—Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editor, Best Visual Effects, and Best Costume Designer.

Japan's big hit "Your Name" received only one nomination—Best Screenwriter for Makoto Shinkai, who also directed the film.

Also excluded from the festival's biggest award is "Ang Babaeng Humayo" by Lav Diaz. Diaz instead received a nomination for Best Director and Best Screenwriter. Lead actress Charo Santos received a Best Actress nod.

"Ang Babaeng Humayo" in 2016 was awarded the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News