Pinoy pride, yo!

Asteeg!

Yay to Filipino films!

I've only seen 3 Filipino films featured in Metacritic, and all of them have scores between 50-65.

Sad, because I think many good Filipino films need international recognition.

yeah, we haven't had that many good films yet, but we are trying. i'm happy you have even seen any.

Frankly, I've only seen 1 Filipino film in the big screen since I was a kid. That was Crying Ladies, a pretty average film but good in many ways.

Dekada '70 was a good. Although Magnifico they say is much better.

We'll see.

I would be interested in Filipino movies but from where I stand I only get US French (well of course) and a bit of Japan/Honkong movies.

I heard however that you got some talented directors but could never catch up precise titles.

Could you give me the name of 2-3 of the best movies made?
Thks a lot!

The best Filipino films were made in hte 70's and 80's by such great directors as Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Peque Gallega.


Good recent Filipino films I can recommend:

Bayaning Third World - Mike de Leon (his short films are good as well)
Dekada '70 - Chito Roño (a personal favorite)
Magnifico - Maryo J. delos Reyes

But I would suggest you check out those classics first. Orapronobis by Brocka, and Himala by Bernal would be good. Oro, Plata, Mata by Gallega is also good.

I hope I helped you there. I don't know if these are available near where you are though.

I can count on the Filipino Movies I've seen literally on one hand. Very few Filipino movies get distribution in theatres. One of them lucky to get picked up for U.S. commercial distribution was THE CRYING LADIES, which I thought was rather enjoyable. I guess there are ethnic Chinese in the Philipines, who have done rather well economically, and in the tradition of their community they hire women to cry at funerals. Hence, the title. The movie focuses on the lives of the three crying ladies.

Things in NYC have gotten better for Asian films, if not for Filipino films, with the opening of the ImaginAsian Cinema. I did catch another Filipino film there within the last year called MAGDELENA: THE HOLY SAINT. Not a great film by any stretch, but fairly interesting for the on-location shots that kind of give you a picture of Filipino Society. The film skewers the Catholic Church as the protagonist is fewed as having healing powers and threatens the church and other "healers."

for me the best filipino film ive seen was "manila in the claws of brightness" i think this is by lino brocka if im not mistaken.

I recently caught up with CAVITE, which was made by Phillipino-Americans, but filmed guerilla-style on location in the Phillipines. It is an ultra low budget-film -- so if you are seeking David Lean type cinematography forgetaboutit -- but I found it a taut little thriller than has a lot of heart. Basically, the premise has a guy who receives a call on his cell phone from a terrorist who has kidnapped his family. The film takes off from there are the terrorist tells him what to do or else. It follows the guy around as he is periodically called and instructed to do certain films.