Hey folks, long-time lurker here who’s been diving deep into Pinoy cinema since the ’90s. I’ve seen a lot of threads hyping up 2019 as a banner year for local films, with everyone throwing around titles like “The Panti Sisters” or “Unbreakable” as instant classics. But let’s be real-did any of these really push the envelope, or were they just feel-good fluff riding the MMFF wave?
I’m challenging the narrative that 2019 was our “renaissance.” Take “Hello, Love, Goodbye”-it’s got the box office numbers, sure, but is the romance trope fresh, or just repackaged K-drama vibes with a Manila twist? Show me evidence: Where’s the innovative storytelling that rivals Lav Diaz’s slow-burn masterpieces or Brillante Mendoza’s grit? I’ve rewatched “The Boy Foretold by the Stars” multiple times, and yeah, it’s charming, but does it hold up against international queer cinema like “Call Me by Your Name”?
What’s your take? Drop specific scenes, director interviews, or even critic reviews to back your faves. No vague “it’s relatable” BS-let’s debate what truly elevated Pinoy films that year.