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Philippine New Wave

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Philippine New Wave
Years active2000s - present
LocationPhilippines
Major figuresLav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza
Influences
Influenced

Philippine New Wave (known as Filipino New Wave or Contemporary Philippine Cinema) is a filmmaking term that has been popularly associated with the resurgence of independent, digital and experimental films in the Philippines began in the 21st century, and merged into a recent filmmaking period known as the Third Golden Age of Philippine cinema.[1][2]

Origins of the movement

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Following the first golden age (in the 1950s to 1960s) and the second (from the 1970s to the early 1980s), there was a dramatic decline of the Philippine mainstream film industry in the mid-1980s to 1990s.[3] Hollywood films dominated theater sales even more,[4] and fewer than twenty local studio films were being produced and shown yearly.[5][3] Many producers and production houses later stopped producing films after losing millions of pesos.[4]

Thereafter, a new sense of excitement and trend enveloped the industry with the coming of digital and experimental cinema. Following the winning of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2000 of Raymond Red's short film Anino (Shadows),[6] the 1999 digital feature film Still Lives by Jon Red pioneered this digital revolution; many other digital filmmakers soon followed suit.[7] Cheaper production cost using digital media over film has helped the rebirth of independent filmmaking. Hailed as the inspiration to French New Wave in digital form, this decade saw the proliferation of digital films by independent filmmakers with international reach and caliber, and the introduction of locally produced animated features.[8][9][10][11][12] Production of action films is on a decline, and formulaic romantic comedies and melodrama films constituted the majority of mainstream releases. However, independent filmmakers spurred a renewed interest in Filipino movies through digital movies.

History

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It was in 1999 that digital cinema was introduced in the Philippines but by then, the film industry was already dwindling in numbers. According to the records of the UP Film Institute, 122 films were produced in the year 1999 and 83 in 2000. In 2002, the number went even lower with having only 92 films then further went down to 80 in 2003. This decline in film production was attributed to the country's economic movement wherein the Philippine Film industry was considered one of the heavily taxed industries in terms of equipment, materials and film stock and the imposition of a 30 percent amusement tax to be paid to the local government and a 12 percent value added tax to the central government. Consequently, the high production costs brought about by the high taxes caused ticket admission to also go up. Thus leading to people opting for a different and cheaper form of entertainment particularly in television.

Signs of rebirth of the Philippine cinema arose by way of movies with inspirational themes. In 2002, Gil Portes released Mga Munting Tinig (Small Voices), a subdued movie about a teacher who inspired her students to follow their dreams; the movie also implied improving the country's education system. A year later, Mark Meily's comedy Crying Ladies, about three Filipinas working as professional mourners in Manila's Chinatown but looking for other ways to earn a living, became a huge hit. Also that same year, Maryo J. de los Reyes made a buzz at various film festivals with Magnifico, a simple film with universal appeal about a boy trying to help his family survive their hardships.[13]

In 2005, the film industry saw the lowest number of films produced with only 50 films that were commercially released. However, the establishment of film festivals Cinemalaya and Cinema One Originals which are dedicated to digital films, the addition of Digital Lokal, a digital section, at the Cinemanila International Film Festival, and the second offering of the .MOV International Digital Film Festival helped save the Philippine Film industry.

In 2006 and 2007, Filipino filmmakers started making movies using digital media.[14] Duda (Doubt) is an example of how a man driven by an idea for a film, against all odds, can succeed in creating a significant statement. Writer/Director Crisaldo Pablo used a cast of friends and some professional actors, and with the use of a Sony VX-1, a Hi-8 camcorder, made the first full-length digital movie ever shot in the Philippines. Comments by Cris Pablo and casts in the 'making of' featurette on the DVD demonstrated how much dedication to vision played in this movie.[15] Donsol, by director Adolfo Alix, made waves with his debut digital movie about Donsol, a fishing town and in the opposite, a sanctuary to endangered whale sharks. Other filmmakers of note include Jeffrey Jeturian and Auraeus Solito.

Although Filipino digital films are made in almost no time and with meager budget, they are strongly represented in international film festivals.[16][17] Numerous works of a new breed of filmmakers had their films seen at the prestigious film festivals around the world like in Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Vienna and Rotterdam.[8][18] with several winning prizes and awards.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Among the works included are Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005) by Auraeus Solito, Kubrador (2006) by Jeffrey Jeturian, Todo Todo Teros (2006) by John Torres, Endo (2007) by Jade Castro, Tribu (2007) by Jim Libiran.

In 2007, a Filipino short film entitled Napapanggap (Pretend) by Debbie Formoso, a recent graduate of MFA Master of Film Art at LMU Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, had a successful run in a number of US film festivals.[26] Several other short films,[27][28] including Pedro "Joaquin" Valdes's Bulong (Whisper),[29] as well as documentaries,[30] garnered international attention and honors.

The same year, the first full-length animated Filipino film, Urduja, topbilled by Cesar Montano and Regine Velasquez as voices behind the lead characters, premiered in local theaters. The film was done by over 400 Filipino animators, who produced more than 120,000 drawings that ran in 1,922 scenes equivalent to 8,771 feet of film.[31] Later in the year, the Philippine movie industry took centerstage at the 6th Edition of the Festival Paris Cinema 2008 in France. About 40 Filipino films were shown at the film festival, with Star Cinema's Caregiver (starring Sharon Cuneta) and Ploning (Judy Ann Santos) as opening films. Filipino actor Piolo Pascual was invited by Paris Mayor Delanoe and actress Charlotte Rampling to grace the occasion.[32] Before the closing of 2008, another full-length animated film, Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia, graced the bigscreen as an entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.[33][34]

In order to build up and stimulate the film industry, some Congressmen and Senators recently have authored a number of proposals and legislations pending ratification by the Philippine Congress. Many of the bills seek to ease the multiple taxes on producers, theater operators and patrons. One of the bills, for instance, proposes to exempt from the 30-percent amusement tax on all locally produced movies classified by regulators as for "general patronage" or "parental guidance-13". Another bill seeks to exempt local producers from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on imported filmmaking raw materials and equipment.[35][36][37]

In 2010, an eponymous documentary film, Philippine New Wave: This Is Not a Film Movement, about the most prominent internationally-acclaimed and wildly divergent digital filmmakers from the Philippines answer questions on filmmaking and beyond.[38]

Notable filmmakers and actors

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Lav Diaz

[edit]
Main article: Lav Diaz
Diaz (pictured in 2016), director of The Woman Who Left, won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Lav Diaz is a Filipino independent filmmaker and former film critics who have known as a leading figure in experimental Philippine films and is one of the most critically acclaimed contemporary Filipino filmmakers whose works include long epics about Filipino life, some of which run up to ten hours including the 2004 film Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino, often testing the endurance of viewers.[13]

In 2014, Diaz directed his 12th narrative feature, Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon (literally "From What is Before") won the Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno Film Festival. Its win was a highly regarded as the second Filipino film to be awarded at an international film festival in the world almost twenty years after Lamangan's The Flor Contemplacion Story won the Golden Pyramid at the 1995 Cairo International Film Festival.[39][40]

In 2016, Diaz directed his 16th narrative feature, Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, received mixed reviews and was selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival, won the Alfred Bauer Prize.[41]

At the same year, Diaz directed his 17th narrative feature, Ang Babaeng Humayo (literally "The Woman Who Left"), received the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, the first Philippine film to do so, although it could be eligible to be submitted as a Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 89th Academy Awards before it ended up selected to Mendoza's competitive film Ma' Rosa.[42]

In 2017, Diaz became one of the few Filipinos who have invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a member.[43]

Dolly de Leon

[edit]
An image of a woman wearing a sheer top looking away from the camera
De Leon at the Film Development Council of the Philippines' Honor of Arts in 2023
Main article: Dolly de Leon

Dolly Earnshaw de Leon is a Filipino actress known primarily for her work in independent films and theater, starting in a horror anthology film Shake, Rattle & Roll III (1991) and was cast in small and uncredited roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

In 2022, De Leon achieved international recognition and acclaim for starring as a toilet cleaner on a luxury yacht in Ruben Östlund's satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness (2022), winning the Guldbagge Award and Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Performance. She received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and for a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Filipino to be nominated for the awards in any category.

Due to her being internationally recognized by filmmakers and celebrities, De Leon continues to starred in the adult animated drama The Missing (2023), and the comedies Between the Temples and Grand Death Lotto (both in 2024).

In 2023, Leon became one of the few Filipinos who have invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a member.[43]

Brillante Mendoza

[edit]
Main article: Brillante Mendoza
Mendoza, director of Kinatay, won the Best Director award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Brillante Mendoza is a Filipino filmmaker who is one of the key members associated with the Filipino New Wave, among his works garnered more than 50 awards and 75 nominations at national award ceremonies and international film festivals.[44] He began to work as a filmmaker in 2005 before the dissolution of Danish's controversial movement Dogme 95, which he used some concept from the movement for his first film, The Masseur, serves as an inspiration. He has directed sixteen films since 2005, also he credited some of his films as cinematographer and production designer under his alias "Dante". His first frequent collaboration with actor Coco Martin in seven films including Masahista, Summer Heat, Foster Child, Tirador, Serbis, Kinatay, and Captive.

In 2008, Serbis (literally Service) became the first Filipino full-length film to compete for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival since internationally acclaimed director Lino Brocka's Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (literally "This is My Country") in 1984.[45][46][47]

In 2009, Kinatay (literally "Butchered" or "The Execution of P"), about murder and police brutality, brought the highest international esteem to a Filipino filmmaker when Brillante Mendoza was judged as the Best Director at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, the first Filipino filmmaker to receive the honor.[48] The film was notorious for being critically panned by Roger Ebert, an American famous film critic, who declared it the worst film ever to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival since Gallo's The Brown Bunny.[49] His win was heralded by President Arroyo and his countrymen.[50]

In 2017, Mendoza became one of the few Filipinos who have invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a member.[51]

In 2019, he directed a titular film, Mindanao, a war drama about a Muslim mother cares for her cancer-stricken daughter while she awaits her husband to come home who serves as a combat medic deployed in the southern Philippines. The film receives critical acclaim from local reviews and won multiple awards at national award ceremonies including 45th Metro Manila Film Festival, 22nd Gawad Pasado, 38th FAP Luna Awards, and 14th Gawad Genio Awards, all of which categories are Best Film and Best Director.[52]

Isabel Sandoval

[edit]
Main article: Isabel Sandoval

Isabel Sandoval is a Filipina filmmaker who has been associated with the next wave of Philippine independent cinema of the 2020s. Sandoval is also the first trans woman of color to compete at the Venice Film Festival for her international debut film, Lingua Franca. She is also known for her films Señorita and Aparisyon. She is currently working on her next feature Tropical Gothic, based on the 1972 short story by Nick Joaquin.

In 2022, Sandoval became the first Asian trans woman who have invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a member.[53]

Other known filmmakers

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Notable films

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See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Philippine film industry eyes new stage". Agence France-Presse. October 15, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  2. ^ de la Cruz, Khavn (June 21, 2012). "Philippine New Wave: Home-grown, all-natural, no preservatives added". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  3. ^ a b RP Movie Industry Dying Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Vanzi, Sol Jose. Newsflash. January 15, 2006.
  4. ^ a b A bleak storyline for the Filipino film industry. Conde, Carlos H. International Herald Tribune. February 11, 2007.
  5. ^ "Is the Curtain Finally Falling on the Philippine Movie Industry?". PhilNews.com. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  6. ^ "Awards 2000 : Competition". Festival de Cannes. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Looking Back at Jon Red's Still Lives Part 1". Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  8. ^ a b From Manila to Cannes – New Philippine cinema and the digital revolution[permanent dead link]. CPH:DOX website. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  9. ^ Gina Pareño wins more Int'l acting awards. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  10. ^ Mendoza & Pareño win Russia filmfest honors. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  11. ^ Pinoy actors win Greek filmfest best acting award Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  12. ^ Encantos' wins in Venice Film Festival Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Filipino film industry reborn Archived March 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Straight website. January 25, 2009.
  14. ^ Indie films gaining ground in local movie industry Archived February 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Sumpreme. November 8, 2008.
  15. ^ "Duda (2003) – IMDb". IMDb. December 23, 2003. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  16. ^ Pinoy Indie films win International awards. Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  17. ^ Toronto Film Fest to showcase Pinoy films Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  18. ^ Foster Child wins Spain filmfest award. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  19. ^ 'Tribu' wins Paris Filmfest Youth Jury Prize.Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  20. ^ Brutus bags Hawaii filmfest top prize.Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  21. ^ Tuli wins Berlin Film Festival's Top Prize Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  22. ^ film wins top prize in L-A filmfest Pinoy film wins top prize in LA filmfest. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  23. ^ Grand Jury Prize for Pisay in France Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  24. ^ Filipino films win big at Singapore and Germany Filmfests. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  25. ^ Kaleldo wins at the 8th Jeonju Film Festival Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  26. ^ Filipino short film a favorite in the US Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  27. ^ 9 Pinoy short films in French Filmfest Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  28. ^ Andong & 100 are victorious in Pusan film festival. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  29. ^ Filipino short film wins in Beijing competition. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  30. ^ Pinoy documentary wins in Brussels Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  31. ^ a b Urduja- A Milestone for RP animation. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  32. ^ Paris to honor Philippine movies Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  33. ^ Dayo animates MMFF Archived February 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. The Philippine Daily Inquirer.. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  34. ^ Dayo showcasing local animation Archived January 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  35. ^ Tax deal for movie industry Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Martel, Rene. The Manila Times Internet Edition. January 29, 2008.
  36. ^ Senate Bill No.4 – Revival of the Philippine Movie Industry Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Senator Jinngoy Estrada Official Website. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  37. ^ Solons author bill to boost movie industry Archived January 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Malaya Online Newspaper. February 18, 2008.
  38. ^ LaPeña, Carmela G. "Philippine New Wave: This is not a film movement". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  39. ^ "1995 Cairo International Film Festival". IMDb. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  40. ^ "Balik Tanaw: Pelikuilang Pilipino sa Panahon matapus ang Batas Militar". Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  41. ^ "Lav Diaz wins Silver Bear at Berlin Film Festival". Rappler. February 21, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  42. ^ Sallan, Edwin (September 19, 2016). "'Ang Babaeng Humayo' moves playdate to September 28". Interaksyon. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  43. ^ a b "Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza invited to U.S. Film Academy". Rappler. July 4, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c "Filipino New Wave - Movie list". MUBI. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  45. ^ Cannes entry puts spotlight on Philippine indie films. Grafilo, John. Top News Light Reading. May 6, 2008.
  46. ^ Serbis competes in 61st Cannes Film Festival. Good News Pilipinas website. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  47. ^ Cannes brings cheer to ailing Philippine film industry. Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 11, 2008.
  48. ^ (2009-05-25). "Brillante Outshines Tarantino, Ang Lee in Cannes" Archived December 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Good News Pilipinas Web Site. Retrieved on January 26, 2011.
  49. ^ Ebert, Roger (May 16, 2009). "Cannes #4: What were they thinking of?". Roger Ebert's Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  50. ^ (2009-08-20). "CNN's Talk Asia features Brillante Mendoza". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved on January 26, 2011.
  51. ^ "Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza invited to U.S. Film Academy". Rappler. July 4, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  52. ^ Severo, Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo,Jan Milo. "FULL LIST: MMFF 2019 winners". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 24, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  53. ^ Purnell, Kristofer. "Filipina director Isabel Sandoval invited to join Oscars Academy alongside Billie Eilish, Anya Taylor-Joy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  54. ^ a b "Filipino New Wave - Elenco dei film". MUBI (in Italian). Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  55. ^ a b c "Are we ready for the Third Golden Age of Philippine Movies?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 30, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  56. ^ TMT, Christina Alpad (August 14, 2017). "'Birdshot' hits big for Mikhail Red". The Manila Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  57. ^ a b Tabares, Nazamel (December 11, 2016). "#MMFF2016: "Saving Sally" is a Simple Story That Can't Be Told Enough". PELIKULA MANIA. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  58. ^ Tan, Oscar Franklin (January 2, 2017). "'Saving Sally': must see before you die". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  59. ^ "'Hello, Love, Goodbye' makes over P800 million worldwide". Rappler. August 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  60. ^ "Asia Society at the Movies: Filipino Animators". Asia Society. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
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