Watch Out for These Filipino Films Making Their Netflix Premiere Soon
Aug 6, 2020 • Kyzia Maramara
We might not be able to visit movie houses any time soo,n but we’re about to be spoiled with a whole lot of Filipino films on Netflix. From August to September, a number of Tagalog titles will be making their premiere on Netflix including Netflix Original Love the Way U Lie. If you’ve never had the chance to catch these films in theaters before, you can watch them now in the comfort of your own home.
Sleepless (2015) by Prime Cruz
Netflix release date coming soon
Gem (Glaiza de Castro) and Barry (Dominic Roco) are two insomniacs drawn together by their nocturnal loneliness. While the rest of the world is sleeping, they explore the city and kill time talking about love, zombies, and everything in between. Dominic Roco won Best Actor at the 2015 QCinema International Film Festival for his performance and Sleepless won the 2015 NETPAC Jury Prize for Best Picture.
Tayo sa Huling Buwan ng Taon (2019) by Nestor Abrogena
Netflix release date on August 27
Nicco Manalo and Emmanuelle Vera reprise their roles as Sam and Isa in Nestor Abrogena’s sequel to the 2015 hit Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa. The story takes place five years after the pair’s breakup where they already have their own respective romantic relationships. Fate lets them bump into each other once again forcing them to come to terms with their feelings. Aside from the heart-wrenching storyline of the two films, the amazing cinematography of Metro Manila’s familiar spots shouldn’t be missed.
Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (2018) by Carlo Enciso Catu
Netflix release date coming soon
Elderly couple Teresa and Celso attend to Teresa’s estranged husband, Benedicto, who is ill. The film explores the themes of love, companionship, and forgiveness. It leaves the audience with a question: on the twilight of our days, how do we really wait for the sun to set? Kung Panno Hinihintay ang Dapithapon won Best Film at the 14th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. In 2019, it also won the Audience Choice Award at the 25th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema.
Write About Love (2019) by Crisanto Aquino
Netflix release date on September 25
A young female writer (Miles Ocampo) collaborates with a seasoned indie writer (Rocco Nacino). Together they rewrite the script of an unfinished love story. Write About Love won Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Special Jury Prize, Second Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score, Best Editing, and Best Original Song at the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival.
Tuos (2016) by Roderick Cabrido
Netflix release date coming soon
Elena (Nora Aunor) is the village’s “binukot,” a woman chosen to keep age-old traditions. Her granddaughter Letty (Barbie Forteza) is expected to take over the title soon. But Letty does not want a life of a “binukot” and Elena must choose between her granddaughter’s life and the beliefs that shackled her in solitary confinement.
Kung Paano Siya Nawala (2018) by Joel Ruiz
Netflix release date on August 13
Lio (JM de Guzman) has prosopagnosia (face blindness), a disorder that makes him unable to recognize faces. He is unable to connect with people until he meets Shana (Rhian Ramos), a carefree girl who changes his life. This is De Guzman and Ramos’ first on-screen collaboration and off-screen, they also served as producers for the movie.
Distance (2018) by Perci Intalan
Netflix release date coming soon
Liza (Iza Calzado) mourns losing the love of her life and copes by distancing herself from her family. Five years later, she is invited back home to her husband and her two children but reconciliation is never easy. Iza Calzado and Nonie Buencamino deliver exceptional portrayal of their roles. Therese Malvar’s performance won her the Best Supporting Actress award during the 2018 Cinemalaya Film Festival.
Love the Way U Lie (2020) by RC Delos Reyes
Netflix release date on August 20
Love the Way U Lie is a Netflix Original and Viva Communications film starring Alex Gonzaga and Xian Lim, the love team you never thought you needed. The quirky Stacey (Gonzaga) meets the serious Nathan (Lim) in the colorful streets of Manila. But the mundane mixes with the supernatural, and Stacey realizes she can hear Nathan’s deceased wife Sara (Kylie Versoza), who wants her grieving husband to move on. In the process, sparks begin to fly.
Other Filipino films slated to have their Netflix premiere this year includes Hindi Tayo Pwede by Joel Lamangan, Time & Again by Jose Javier Reyes, Stranded by Ice Idanan, Finding You by Easy Ferrer, Us Again by Joy Aquino, D’Ninang by G.B. Sampedro, and Gasping for Air by Carlo Obispo.
Which Filipino movie are you most excited to watch on Netflix?
