The One with the Popcorn
6 Binge-worthy Filipino Indie Films
By Angelica Orteo and Juan Carlos Sibucao
Art has a way to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable and films are a form of art. Moreover, artists have the right to express themselves — this is why we need independent films. Independent films also known as Indie films are often produced to make us think about various subjects and issues as it features stories that are more realistic than the mainstream ones.
For the past few years, Pinoy indie films have been given more limelight and recognition as it has disturbed the minds of the undisturbed. A lot of film festivals have also been launched including the annual Cinemalaya and Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino that are very prominent here in the Metro. How I miss going to those film festivals with friends!
Nonetheless, grab your popcorn and let’s take a look at these six binge-worthy Filipino indie films tackling various issues that could give us a different lens and views in our society.
Hintayan ng Langit (2018)
Do you have that special someone who you thought would be your “forever” but then you two drifted apart and now you’re just mere strangers with memories? In other words, do you have that someone who you can consider as your “The One That Got Away”? If the answer is yes or if you might just probably love to watch this type of drama and romance film, then “Hintayan ng Langit” surely won’t disappoint you.
“Hintayan ng Langit”, which is directed by Dan Villegas based on the play of Juan Miguel Severo, is an award-winning movie for the QCinema International Film Festival held in 2018. It follows the story of Lisang, portrayed by Gina Pareno, who’s overstaying her time in The Middle while waiting to finally ascend to Heaven. As she’s finally closing in to that day, a familiar person walks in as a new tenant/ her new roommate and it’s her newly deceased ex-boyfriend, Manolo, played by Eddie Garcia. Now I bet you’re curious about their past and what did their “reunion” bring to the table, so go ahead, ready your tissue, and let this film break your heart but at the same time find the answers you’ve been searching for.
This absolutely stunning movie won 3 awards namely the Audience Choice Award and Best Actor for Eddie Garcia in QCinema International Film Festival 2018 and also the Star Awards from Star Awards for Movies 2019. It also had 14 nominations in Gawad Urian, FAMAS, etc.
Liway (2018)
Are you one of the people who believe that “ang tao, ang bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban” or up until today, you still don’t? Either of the two, this is a must-watch eye opener film for you!
Awakening the patriotism in the hearts of the Filipinos, this 2018 independent film Liway, written and directed by Kip Oebanda based on true events, narrates the experiences of a young boy named Dakip growing up in a prison as the son of Cecilia Flores-Oebanda also known as Commander Liway (portrayed by Glaiza de Castro, who’s an anti-Marcos activist). Taking a leap back to the past, it also tackles the struggles of political prisoners back at that time.
This film may not be a love story but it could still squeeze your heart big time, making you love your country more. Don’t want to spoil you anymore but aside from tissues and handkerchiefs, get ready for the biggest plot twist in the end!
Baka Bukas (2016)
Now our next movie is an indie film which tackles social issues and struggles of the LGBTQ community. “Baka Bukas”, directed and written by Samantha Lee, is a film which story revolves around Alex (played by Jasmine Curtis-Smith), a lesbian who already came out to her family and everyone except to her best friend, Jess (played by Louise de los Reyes). Alex has been secretly in love with Jess ever since they were kids and as Jess unfolds the truth about Alex, they have no other choice but to deal with the feelings they have for each other.
Lee said in an interview that she wants to give light to what the LGBT community is really about and to break the norms that the mainstream media is using to present it nowadays. The sad truth is here in the Philippines, even though we’re open to the presence of the LGBT, most of us still do not fully accept it.
If you want to break the stigma and toxic culture regarding the LGBT issue and be aware of their struggles, “Baka Bukas” is the one for you.
This film won the Audience Award for Samantha Lee and C1 Originals Award for Best Sound to Andrew Milallos and Best Actress to Jasmine Curtis-Smith in the Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2016 and also the Emerging Talent Award for Lee.
John Denver Trending (2019)
Every action comes with consequences. In just one click, everything can change.
In this technology-driven world, people have become more dependent on social media wherein a single post can make or break a person. However, not everyone is literate enough when it comes to media and information, thus, the rise of bullying and fake news which could lead to a lot of events that could also affect one’s mental health.
Another indie film that tackles social issues in our country is the award-winning 2019 film John Denver Trending, written and directed by Arden Rod Condez. It tackles the experiences of John Denver (portrayed by Jansen Magpusao), a 14-year-old student, who was accused of stealing his classmate’s iPad. A series of unfortunate events especially bullying, both online and offline, happened afterwards. Aside from that, parental supervision is also challenged in the film. What a heavy yet quiet film it is!
If you want to break the stigma regarding mental health and end the culture of bullying, go and see this film!
Imbisibol (2015)
On this film, the struggles and hardships that our fellow Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) is facing abroad, far from home, in order to provide for their families here in the Philippines is brought to the spotlight. “Imbisibol” (Invisible), directed by Lawrence Fajardo and written by Herlyn Gail Alegre and John Paul Bedia, is a drama film which narrates the stories of illegal Filipino workers overstaying in Japan despite their Visas being expired and the everyday challenges they’re facing just to evade the authorities.
This tear-jerking and eye-opening movie has won 10 awards and tallied 20 nominations in Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2015, ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards 2017, FAP Awards Philippines 2016, Gawad Urian Awards 2016, Salento International Film Festival 2016, Star Awards for Movies 2016 and Vesoul Asian Film Festival 2016.
Bar Boys (2017)
Are you one of the struggling students who wants to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life? On top of that, with your friends? Either you do or not, this film is for you!
Released in 2017 during the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), the comedy-drama film Bar Boys directed by Kip Oebanda under TropicFrills Film Productions in cooperation with Wild Sound Studios. The film revolves around a group of friends, Christian (Enzo Pineda), Erik (Carlo Aquino), Joshua (Kean Cipriano) and Toran (Rocco Nacino), as they enter law school together where a lot of challenges await. Reflecting the present society we are living in, it also emphasizes that all of us, regardless of our social statuses, face our own struggles but progress is still a progress and that graduating is not a race.
With its chilling vibe, Bar Boys will lead you to a roller coaster ride of emotions. This film might help you as well in coping up with your college life and even in law school. Watch it with your friends now!
Despite having an international, high-class caliber storyline, production, script, and actors, Independent Filipino films like those binge worthy ones above are still unfortunately being overlooked and disregarded compared to those traditional mainstream movies. Indie films that are proudly made by Filipinos deserve more acknowledgement, appreciation and a bigger audience. You want to know the reason why? Simply because the moment you tried to watch these indie films, you’re going to see a whole new horizon. You’re going to view the world in a different perspective and the main reason why is because these films tackle the sensitive issues that is actually happening in our society right now. It opens our eyes to the reality that is probably being distorted and clouded by propagandas and fake news.
These films will give you the unseen and unspoken truth about love, the struggles of college students particularly law majors and also our OFWs, the unending fight of the LGBTQ Community for equality and acceptance, the sensitive issues concerning one’s mental health and last but not the least, national independence and the cruelty and injustice during the Martial Law era.
If you’re looking for something simple yet bold and not by-the-book type of movies, you will never regret watching these. It’s time that Filipino Indie Films should be placed in the limelight because they deserve all the applause and standing ovation.
