Here’s the reality—life would be too much of a bore without films adding characters and narratives to our weekends. Local film festivals like Cinemalaya, CineFilipino, and QCinema give us movie rosters filled with tales of love, family, and history to reflect on as these represent our society and the different cultures that make it what it is.
Movies cost a ton more than they used to, but there’s no doubt these films are worth every centavo out off our pockets and seconds off our time:
Never Not Love You
Directed by Antoinette Jadaone, this JaDine-starred film captured many hopeless romantic hearts all over the Philippines. The film explores the highs and lows of a relationship, highlighting that not every love story is convenient and easy. This film reminds us that not every relationship will turn out as we expect it be as it gives us a realistic take on modern day relationships.
Exes Baggage
Dan Villegas captures the essence of moving on from your past—some would say it’s shallow, but we’re pretty much still hooked on “hugot.” Adding weight to the story is the past flame of actors Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino, making “Exes Baggage” a film that made us laugh, love, and understand that second chances are rare.
Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus
Aileen (played by Iana Bernardez) swept four guys off of their feet without her even knowing it. Each man has his own little fantasy, where Aileen is either playing the part of a wife, lover, soulmate, or companion. These individual desires prove romance really is head over heart. Dwein Baltazar showed an engaging narrative on screen that made us obsessed with Aileen more than we expected.
Mamu; and a Mother Too
While LGBT+ Filipino films are slowly taking over the film industry in the country, the transgender community still lacks representation in film. “Mamu; and a Mother Too” is a film that beautifully captures of what it means to be a transgender woman—making a statement that our transgender women are real women. Iyah Minah won as Best Actress at the Cinema One originals film festival, making her the first transgender woman to bag such an award. It is a film about love, resilience, and acceptance.
Billie and Emma
Samantha Lee’s sophomore film is more than just a queer love story. Set in the 90s, the coming-of-age QCinema entry gives its viewers two strong female characters trying to make sense of their sexuality. The teenagers struggle with identity, autonomy, and the troubles of young unrequited love.
Delia and Sammy
76-year-old Delia (Rosemarie Gil) is dying. And to make things worse, she has no one to entrust her frail and Alzheimer’s-inflicted husband to. They go on a road trip on their beat-up Mercedes Benz to close the distance between Sammy (Jaime Fabregas) and his relatives—an adventure filled with forgiveness and acceptance along the way. This light-hearted flick directed by Theresa Cayaba tells stories of heartache silenced through the decades, only to be replaced by a tale of undying love.
Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
Making a commentary on our Filipino hero worship culture, “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” explores what it truly means to be a hero through the character of Goyo. Jerrold Tarrog poetically tells the story of one of the Philippines’ national heroes as he relates history to present day events.
Liway
A film that received a standing ovation during its Cinemalaya screening, “Liway” is a film reminding us to fight for what is right. Set during the Martial Law, the film captures the struggle and hardships under the regime of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Glaiza de Castro alongside Dominique Roco tells the inspiring story of Liway through the direction of Kip Oebanda.
BuyBust
“BuyBust” is 2018’s best Filipino action film. Through this movie, Erik Matti made a social commentary on the War on Drugs alongside heart-stopping fight scenes. “BuyBust” left most of us on the edge of our seats. Far from her celebrity glamour, Anne Curtis blew us away with her performance and reminds us that first and foremost, she indeed is an actress.
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