View these Filipino independent films in the comfort of your own home!
Just past universally-loved blockbuster movies are underrated Filipino indie films filled with rich plots and amazing characters. These local independent films may not have gotten proper recognition in the Philippines, but they’ve won countless accolades from both local and international festivals and contests.
With people now watching from their computers and televisions at home instead of going to theaters, streaming has been a huge hit and has helped Filipino indie films get the recognition they deserve.Thanks to Netflix, YouTube, iFlix, HOOQ, and iWant, you can now easily access a taste of Pinoy indie culture and pride with these movies.
Check out the best local independent films you can stream online:
- Blue Bustamante
- Saving Sally
- Kung Paano Siya Nawala (How She Left Me)
- Smaller and Smaller Circles
- Ang Manananggal Sa Unit 23B
- Pamilya Ordinaryo
- Bar Boys
- Bliss
1. Miko Ravelo’s Blue Bustamante.
Blue Bustamante tells the tale of an OFW in Japan (Joem Bascon) trying to land an engineering job alongside his wacky friend (Jun Sabayton). Things don’t seem to go his way, leaving him unemployed in a place far away from home. But by having the right physique and a stroke of luck, the OFW lands himself a job as a stunt double for a local super sentai television show—which is not exactly what he had hoped for. The film beautifully highlights the struggles of our OFWs who work abroad to give them a better life and future.
Where to watch: YouTube
2. Avid Liongoren’s Saving Sally.
This film was hyped at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival because it was the only animated film in the lineup. Side note: 2016 was a notable year for the Metro Manila Film Festival as it showcased films that weren’t typical blockbusters which divided moviegoers around the country during that Christmas season.
A big driving force of this film was the fact that it took 10 years to make, with delays due to budget constraints. The first shots of the film originally featured Anna Larrucea as the female protagonist before Rhian Ramos took over the role when the film started production again. Saving Sally is a peculiar and quirky love story told from the perspective of an awkward and geeky male protagonist—imagine Scott Pilgrim vs The World but make it more torpe.
Where to watch: iWant
3. Joel Ruiz’s Kung Paano Siya Nawala (How She Left Me)
The Philippines loves romance, drama, and romcoms as proven by the success of movies being released from those genres. When it comes to Kung Paano Siya Nawala, it’s amazing how writers can still come up with something unique while still using the premise of having two people fall in love. For the case of this film, JM de Guzman’s character is a man who has no recognition and retention of faces, yet figures out a way to retain Rhian Ramos’. And so the film goes on with their tale of woe and wonder as they figure out what’s happening between the two of them.
Where to watch: Netflix
4. Raya Martin’s Smaller and Smaller Circles
Based on the award-winning book by Felisa Batacan, actors Sid Lucero and Nonie Buencamino take on the roles of two priests trying to figure out the identity of a serial killer that’s on the loose. In the process of doing so, they uncover the corruption embedded in society at different levels. The film Smaller and Smaller Circles is a beautiful commentary on the current landscape of what this country’s systems have to offer.
Where to watch: YouTube
5. Prime Cruz’s Ang Manananggal Sa Unit 23B
A local take on Hollywood’s Twilight, this film offers more than just swoons but also bits of social commentary on issues like women empowerment. The horror-romance film showcases the relationship between a manananggal (Ryza Cenon) and her neighbor (Martin del Rosario). Tensions between the two will instantly hook you in as their relationship could either turn romantic or something in the nature of a predator and her prey.
Where to watch: HOOQ
6. Eduardo Roy Jr.’s Pamilya Ordinaryo
Pamilya Ordinaryo is a simple tale about a couple’s daily life as informal settlers in Metro Manila. It’s a poignant view on how the poor live their lives at this day and age, showing how they hustle and how they’re hustled.
In the film, couple Jane (Hasmine Kilip) and Aries (Ronwaldo Martin) resort to extreme measures to find out what happened when their baby is kidnapped. Troubles and trials stand in their way in figuring out where their child has been taken, highlighting along the way how this country has never been too kind to most of its constituents.
Where to watch: Netflix
7. Kip Oebanda’s Bar Boys
Bar Boys is story about four friends (Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, Rocco Nacino, and Carlo Aquino) who face the pressures of becoming successful lawyers. Instead of starting at a point where they try to make their names at a firm, the story takes us to a crucial time when they’re only about to take the bar exams. The film perfectly highlights the struggles of making it as a lawyer and shows the difficulties of putting a family member through law school. Overall, it’s a charming story of a barkada working their way to make it out of law school alive, while also achieving other their goals and dreams.
Where to watch: YouTube
8. Jerrold Tarrog’s Bliss
Filipino cinema barely has psychological thrillers, which is why when Jerrold Tarrog makes one, he makes it count. The director, famous for his historical biopics, pulls out more tricks up his sleeve with Bliss. The film revolves around child actress-turned-big star Jane Ciego (Iza Calzado) who suffers an accident that leaves her disabled.The story reveals bits of information from both inside and outside of Jane’s consciousness and builds up to one big twist that will surely bother you.
Where to watch: YouTube
If you want to explore more of what indie films from the Philippines have to offer, you can still check out the entries for Cinemalaya 2020 until August 31, 2020 on the TFC website!
Upcoming Filipino Indie Films To Watch Out for This August and September
In addition to these local gems, more Filipino indie films will also be available on streaming platforms later this August and in September. You can check out their release dates below:
YOUTUBE
- Dahling Nick - August 21, 2020 to August 26, 2020 (Limited Run)
- Dagitab - August 28, 2020 to September 1, 2020 (Limited Run)
NETFLIX
- Us, At The End Of The Year (Tayo sa Huling Buwan ng Taon) - August 27, 2020
- Gasping For Air (1-2-3) - September 3, 2020
- Sleepless - September 3, 2020
- Write About Love - September 5, 2020