Paulo Coelho: Brillante Mendoza’s ‘Kinatay’ an Oscar contender if directed by Tarantino

The movie that earned for Brillante Mendoza the best director trophy at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009 continues to draw raves from influential personalities, this time from famous Brazilian author Paulo Coelho.

In a tweet, Coelho described Kinatay as "[o]ne of the most disturbing movies" he watched this year. He lauded its Mendoza, the screenplay, and the actors.

One of the most disturbing movies I watched in 2018 - great screenplay, director, actors. A Filipino movie that, if it was directed by Tarantino, would be shortlisted for the Oscar. pic.twitter.com/78hdk5SoCH

— Paulo Coelho ?? (@paulocoelho) December 27, 2018

"A Filipino movie that, if it was directed by Tarantino, would be shortlisted for the Oscar," Coelho added.

Mendoza noticed the applause, to which he replied, "Oh and btw, Quintin Tarantino wrote me a letter congratulating me after I won the best director award in #cannesfilmfest". 

Oh and btw, Quintin Tarantino wrote me a letter congratulating me after I won the best director award in #cannesfilmfest

— Brillante Mendoza (@brillante_ma) December 28, 2018

Shown in 2009, Kinatay is about a criminology student, played by actor Coco Martin, who joins a syndicate by accident to earn a living for his family.

Included in the 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival, it also premiered at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, where Mendoza won the Best Director Award. —NB, GMA News