Filipino Films that Should be Made in the Immediate Future, Part 2 (Film #2: "The Imeldific Drag Show")

David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim have already produced a stage musical about the controversial and polarizing Imelda Marcos. Some Filipinos easily became thrilled as Filipino stage thespians were chosen to play key parts in the New York production and the coming London production. For some, it is "Miss Saigon" all over again. This is another proof that the new generation has perhaps forgotten the sins of the Marcos dictatorship and so the apparent return to glory, and maybe to power, of the Marcos clan is well under way. Whether the new Imelda musical presented the great “Maleficent of Shoes” in a favorable or unfavorable light, I suppose it is up to the viewers. But as “The Guardian” critic Alexis Soloski wrote,

“It becomes more difficult to judge or be critical of the characters – dancing with Imelda (played with almost unparalleled sweetness by Ruthie Ann Miles) makes you more likely to sympathise with her and her husband (Jose Llana), despite knowing better.” (Source: The Guardian, 13 April 2013)

Filipino Films That Should Be Made in the Immediate Future, Part 1 (Film #1: F/F) and Introduction

Every year, we see many excellent Filipino films, mostly from independent filmmakers. However, after the year is over, most of us forget. Even more interesting, the same kinds of people watch these so-called “excellent” films. If film is mere entertainment, then save me a seat for the new Avengers movie, or the next Vice Ganda and Daniel Padilla flick.

Still, I was taught that film is power, and every year, I see that power being flushed in the toilet together with shit in the name of cash.

Being an uppity critic, I decided to suggest some future films to all film artists out there. I call this “Filipino Films That Should Be Made in the Immediate Future.” Here is film number one.

FILM NUMBER 1

Working Title: “F/F” 

Many films about the rich and powerful in the Philippines have been made in the past but none of them actually has incited righteous anger from the common person. Let us face it. Many ordinary Filipinos do not need to be reminded that their government officials are stealing people’s money, which is one the main causes of dire poverty in the nation. Ordinary Filipino perhaps only wonders about the daily lives of the top one percent elite of the country. In this year’s Cinemalaya, “#Y” provided a glimpse but this film is more about rich teenage angst and morbidity than an accurate representation of the Filipino upper class. 

Brun Film Awards Readers Choice Section: Results (The Best Films and Performances of 2013)



After almost two months of voting, our readers have made their choices. Here are the results of Brun Philippines First Readers’ Choice Awards. The Readers’ Choice section is a companion to our Critics’ Choice Section. We value our readers’ opinions and we learn so much from them. The number of people who voted is not substantial; after all, Brun Philippines is not popular but we value every single vote. Perhaps next year, we will have a wider readership. Thank you again for supporting us during our infancy.  Thank you as well to Micropoll for providing us with a more secure survey service, guaranteeing the authenticity of each vote.

Best Performances in Filipino Films (2013): "Results of our Critics and Readers Poll"

Terracotta figurine of a theatrical
mask representing Dionysos.
Image part of public domain.
Taken from Wikipedia.

Updated: Jan. 17, 2014 (End of voting)

2013 is filled with outstanding performances from Filipino thespians both in local and international films.  For her role as a sacrificing but assertive domestic helper in Anthony Chen’s “Ilo Ilo,” Angeli Bayani has recently been nominated for Best Actress in the Asia-Pacific Film Fest.  John Arcilla also held his own in Sean Ellis’ “Metro Manila.”  

As expected, the best performances came from independently-produced films, but sadly, many Filipino moviegoers did not see these films.  In 2013, big studios that continually produce trashy films still dominated the industry and monopolized most cinemas in the country, specifically in Metro Manila.  In effect, most moviegoers had to contend seeing more “TV Patrol” and “Elevator” types of acting as Eugene Domingo puts it in “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.” Let us face it, as long as films like “My Little Bossing” and “My Other Woman” remain to be blockbuster hits, we will continue to see more bad films with even worst performances in the coming years.