Cover image via SAYS PH
Here comes another listicle of Filipino films
for your binge-watching pleasure!
for your binge-watching pleasure!
We are doing this ([again] (http://says.com/ph/lifestyle/women-in-film-feminist-films-for-beginners-iwd), [again] (http://says.com/ph/kulture/11-comedy-movies-from-the-80s-that-you-can-watch-on-youtube), and [again] (http://says.com/ph/kulture/8-filipino-classic-feminist-movies-that-you-can-only-watch-in-youtube)) to ensure that you are watching films to widen your filmography and to learn more about the art of scriptwriting and cinematography — and not just because a friend of a friend, of another friend, of a friend told you that it is *really* good.
Image via Not Quite Legal
This is the time to make your own judgment.
Watch at your own risk!
Watch at your own risk!
Image via Reaction GIFs
Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank
Also known as "The Woman in the Septic Tank", the film is about these film students, namely: Bingbong, Jocelyn, and Rainier. Their goal is to write the next box-office-hit, independent, Oscar-worthy film. They decided to shoot in *Payatas* dumpsite and did a pre-production with their lead actress (Eugene Domingo). For them, they will reach their goal if they don't stop believing, no matter the cost.
The film won the **New Breed Full Length Feature Award** from the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, while Eugene Domingo won the **Asian Films People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress** for this film.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1961179/awards).
Image via Photobucket
Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita
The film is about Anita, a 12-year-old girl, who falls in love with this new resident in town named Pilar (Angel Aquino). Anita's struggle with her sexuality grows deeper as the years go by, especially when she had that magical time of dancing "Cha-Cha" with Pilar, making her realize how she truly feels for the woman.
The film won the **Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Ensemble** awards at the Cinefilipino Film Festival last 2013 and won the **Osaka Asian Film Festival** in 2014.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3204904/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Image via Same Same
Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros
Also known as the, "The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros", this was one of the first entries in the 1st Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival back in 2005. This coming-of-age film rotates around 12-year-old effeminate gay named Maximo who is torn between his love for this bachelor police and his family.
In 2006, the Berlin International Film Festival awarded the film as the **Best Feature Film** and in 2010 was awarded by the Gawad Urian Awards the **Best Filipino Film of the Decade**.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479506/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Image via Young Film Reader
Apocalypse Child
Image via Fresh from the Theatre
Facing the myths of your past is what makes this film familiar, gripping and enchanting all at the same time. One of those melancholy, vivid, and realistic films that brings you back to your own memories as a child. Set in the beautiful and calm town of Baler, the film is about Ford, a surfing instructor who has been told his whole life that he's the son of Francis Ford Coppolla. He's wasted his youth waiting as his mother petitions the director to acknowledge Ford as his son. But as the surfing season ends, he's forced to confront his past actions, inactions, and the stories of his life, according to Apocalypse Child's [website] (http://apocalypsechild.com).
The film won the **Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Artistic Achievement** awards at the QCinema International Film Festival in 2015. Ana-Abad Santos also won the **Best Actress** award at the Gawad Urian this year.
More on the film's awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5573164/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Trivia: [Armi Millare] (http://says.com/ph/lifestyle/6-things-juan-miguel-severo-taught-us-about-love) has written two new songs for the film alone.
Badil
*Badil* is a *Bicolano* word for "gun". The film depicts in vivid realism the mysterious and flawed politics in the Philippines, especially in the remote areas of the country. The story follows Mang Ponso (Dick Israel), Lando (Jhong Hilario) and Jen (Nikki Gil) as they act the main characters in the film. According to IMDb reviewer, [3xHCCH] (http://www.imdb.com/user/ur4294858/comments?ref_=tt_urv), "The script of Rody Vera was so well-written, so gritty, down-to-earth, natural, and educational as well. Director Chito Rono proves that even with a limited budget of P1.5M from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, one can create a film with beautiful cinematography, exciting editing, artistic depth and national significance. Now that is a true Master. 9/10."
The film won the **Indie Movie of the Year** award from Star Awards for Movies in 2014, while Jhong Hilario won the **Best Performance** award from the Young Critics Circle.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3184764/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Image via IMDb
Barber's Tales
Set during the end of Marcos era, the film stars a widow named Marilou (Eugene Domingo) who is forced to take-over her late husband's barbershop. Eventually, the barbershop became a secret meeting place for NPAs which keeps them safe, but Marilou in danger.
Barber's Tales competed at the Tokyo International film Festival in 2013 where Eugene Domingo won the **Best Actress Award**.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3254578/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Image via Starmometer
Dagitab
Image via My Movie World
*Dagitab*, or "Sparks", is a poetic film in terms of cinematography and screenplay. It discusses love in all of its forms: infatuation, young love, marriage, lost. It's also about this couple who is struggling with their married life because of their different aspirations. [Pinoy Babbler] (https://thepinoybabbler.com/2014/08/04/movie-review-dagitab/), who reviewed the film, hit the core of this masterpiece: "With all the emotions and deep thoughts the film imparts to its viewers, it has just the right amount of crazy to make you think, and then reconsider your relationship with others — and more importantly, your relationship with yourself."
The film won the **Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actress** awards at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2014 and the **Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor** at the Gawad Urian Awards in 2015.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3887762/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Dukit
Image via Rave Pad
*Dukit* is the *Kapampangan* word for "woodcarving". The film features the region's traditions in the form of art, culture, food and music. According to [Willy Layug] (http://www.willylayug.net/blog/dukit-a-film-by-armando-lao), *Dukit* is about Waldo, a celebrated Kapampangan sculptor embittered by how the father abandoned his family for another woman. It takes Waldo years and success to learn to forgive the old man.
It is the latest film of acclaimed screenwriter [Armando "Bing" Lao] (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0487366/) and an official entry to the 2013 MMFF Independent Film. The film won the **Best Director, Best Feature Film, and Best Actors** at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2013.
More on the film's list of awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3411758/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Nick & Chai
Image via My Movie World
One of the heartbreaking films we have ever seen in the independent cinema scene is Nick & Chai. It's about a couple from Leyte who lost their four children to the strongest typhoon ever recorded in the Philippines, the super typhoon Haiyan (*Yolanda*). The film will walk you through the couple's grieving as it shows you the remains of the deluge in this beautiful montage of memories.
This documentary film won the **Best Picture and Special Citation** at the QCinema International Film Festival in 2014.
More on the film's awards and nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3991384/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
I Love You, Thank You
Image via Cyberspace
This is the "*saksak puso*" film that you have been looking for!
Starring Joross Gamboa, Prince Stefan, CJ Reyes and Ae Pattawan, *I Love You. Thank You.* is about these four gay guys who are all struggling through the joys and pains of unrequited love. Shot in the breathtaking lands of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, this film will surely quench your wanderlust and endless search for enlightenment.
The film won the **Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year** at the Star Awards for Movies this year, and was **Nominated Best Picture** at the World Premieres Film Festival in 2015.
More on the film's list of nominations [here] (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4370236/awards?ref_=tt_awd).
Bookmark this article to keep yourself updated to all of the films to watch out for! Just give us some time to binge-watch them so we could create another list! 😉
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What are your favorite indie Filipino films to date?
Share them in the comment section below! 🙂
Share them in the comment section below! 🙂
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