HONG KONG — Philippine director Brillante Mendoza hopes his new movie will resonate with a broader audience than his dark Cannes-winning crime thriller "Kinatay."

Mendoza's best-director win at the Cannes Film Festival last year earned him fame and a cash prize from the Philippine president, but his works are still only shown outside the commercial film circuit at informal screenings. His new film, "Lola," is no different, but the independent filmmaker hopes it will touch more people.

" 'Lola' is more emotional, so it's more audience-friendly compared to 'Kinatay,' " Mendoza said yesterday at the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival, where "Lola" is a contender for the 4th Asian Film Awards.

Inspired by real-life stories, "Lola" — Tagalog for "grandmother" — follows grandparents whose grandchildren are on opposite sides of a crime.

WEISZ EARNS TOP STAGE HONOR IN LONDON

LONDON — Rachel Weisz added a stage accolade to Hollywood stardom yesterday, winning the best-actress prize at London's Laurence Olivier theater awards for her role in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

The prize for a Londoner made good in the U.S. was fitting on a night that rewarded several Broadway-bound productions, including "Enron," "Red" and "The Mountaintop," a play about Martin Luther King by 28-year-old American writer Katori Hall.

The rock musical "Spring Awakening" — which traveled the opposite direction, from New York to London — took four prizes, including best new musical.

'ALICE' CONTINUES BOX OFFICE DOMINATION

LOS ANGELES — Alice remains the queen of the box office.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" took in $34.5 million to remain the No. 1 movie for a third straight weekend, according to studio estimates yesterday.

The Disney release raised its domestic haul to $265.8 million and its worldwide total to $565.8 million after just three weekends in theaters, a huge result for a film playing in the typically slow month of March.

"Alice in Wonderland" beat a rush of new movies led by 20th Century Fox's family film "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," which opened at No. 2 with $21.8 million.

PETA IN A FLAP OVER TYSON PIGEON SHOW

NEW YORK — An animal welfare group wants New York City prosecutors to investigate boxing great Mike Tyson's upcoming reality television show about pigeon racing.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals alleges the Brooklyn-based show is cruel to animals. It says races likely will involve illegal gambling.

The show will follow Tyson as he competes in pigeon races. The former world heavyweight champ has raised pigeons all his life but is a racing rookie.

The show is slated to air next year on Animal Planet.

— Advertiser News Services