Movie Worthy Plots for Filipino Movies

I mentioned that I am a fan of movies. To tell you the truth (and I am quite ashamed to admit), that I’m more of a fan of Hollywood movies, than Filipino movies. I know you’d understand me when I tell you that we don’t have much of a variety when it comes to movie plots. It’s either a love story, or a long lost child found by his/her biological parents. The same goes for the ‘teleseryes’ or soap operas shown on TV. It’s a good thing that independent filmmakers are making waves in the industry now, making way for quality films to be made. The problem, though, is that indie films don’t appeal to the public that much, which makes them remain what they are, preventing them to be mainstream. Perhaps the problem really lies within the Filipino audience. Business is about supply and demand, right? If the audience demands love stories, those are what the movie producers will supply.

Whenever I watch period films set in WWII, or during the 19^th century, I would often imagine a well-made Filipino film set during the same period. Our history is rich in movie worthy stories that producers could take advantage of. There’s the hardship that Filipinos went through during the Spanish and Japanese occupation. What about a love story between a Filipina and an American soldier set during the Japanese occupation (ala Ms. Saigon)? Several films about our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, have already been made, but what about another Filipino hero, Andres Bonifacio, the person who began the ‘himagsikan’ (revolution). The story surrounding his death is still mysterious to me. How can the leader of the Philippine revolution (against the Spaniards) be found guilty of treason? Isn’t he the one who’s supposed to be seated the first President of the Philippine Republic, instead of Emilio Aguinaldo? Anyway, there are a lot of movie plots that can be created, even current issues in our country. I still dream of the day when a film from the Philippines will be finally nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars. Oh well….just my 2 cents.