‘Lola Igna’, ‘Pamilya Ordinaryo’ Lead Filipino Films Coming to Netflix this June

Screening Room

Manila, Philippines – Streaming powerhouse Netflix, in an announcement made today, unveiled a new slate of Filipino films across a variety of genres – from horror, comedy, to drama coming to the entertainment platform this June. Netflix forges significant partnerships with production studios, including Viva Films, ERJ Found Films, Black Cap Pictures, and Changhe Films, to bring a lineup that opens Netflix members to a world of diverse storytelling from the Philippines.

“We are constantly amazed by the creativity of storytellers and the quality of talent coming out of the Philippines,” said Raphael Phang, Manager of Content Acquisition at Netflix. “Filipinos are avid entertainment fans, so at Netflix we are committed to bringing the best stories locally and from around the world to our members here.”

“With the world’s inevitable shift to digital platforms for content, it is reassuring that Netflix gives us a showcase of Filipino titles for more audiences and markets to have access to,” said Liza Diño, Chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

“Of the five films that Netflix will be releasing, at the FDCP we are especially excited about the inclusion of  Lola Igna, a heartwarming film from our very own Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino which won Best Picture, and the multi-awarded 2016 film Pamilya Ordinaryo (Ordinary People), which is one of our Cine Lokal hits when it screened in theaters and a winner in Venice Days of the Venice International Film Festival. This growing slate of Filipino content on Netflix is a true reflection of the diversity of what Philippine Cinema has to offer. And Netflix giving space to more Filipino films is an affirmation that the Philippines has the potential of globalizing its local market.”

The five films join the success of other local titles now housed on Netflix, including Eerie, The Girl Allergic to Wi-Fi, and Miss Granny, which were among the top ten most popular titles in the Philippines in 2019, as well as the December 2019 release of Filipino Netflix Film Dead Kids by award-winning director Mikhail Red.

“I feel very grateful as a filmmaker that my work has reached audiences all around the world thanks to Netflix,” said Director Mikhail Red. “It is my goal to use storytelling and genres to get my message across, entertain, and engage people at the same time. Netflix has granted me the perfect platform to connect with an audience anytime and anywhere. Even my older film, Birdshot, which has been on Netflix for three years is still getting fresh reactions online from viewers seeing it for the first time.”

Below are the five Filipino films coming to Netflix next month:

PINOY SUNDAY (Changhe Films Ltd)

Production still Courtesy of Netflix

Inspired by a 1958 Roman Polanski short, director Widing Ho brings this lighthearted examination of modern life in Taipei follows two Filipino immigrants, Manuel and Dado, during their day off from work, when the chance discovery of a discarded couch leads to adventure.

Ho notes, “I never thought the feature debut I made ten years ago can have a second life and finally get shown to the Philippine audience, thanks to Netflix. It is a tremendous honor to have my second movie after ‘Cities of Last Things’ to be included on a platform which has done so much to promote filmmakers’ works from around the world to a global audience. I am lucky to be part of the family.

Cast: Bayani Agbayani, Jeffrey Quizon, Nor Domingo, Dave Ronald Chang, Meryll Soriano, Alessandra de Rossi

Release date: June 5, 2020

SUNOD (Black Cap Pictures Inc)

Production still courtesy of Netflix

As the medical expenses for her daughter stack up, a mother takes a demanding call center job where the building’s sinister secrets begin to haunt her.

Director Carlo Ledesma says, “Having Sunod screen theatrically during the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival was an incredible experience, and now I’m excited for the film to find a new audience online, especially on Netflix, which has the best streaming. Speaking on behalf of myself and my crew, we took great pains to make the movie look and sound good, so it’ll be a rush to see it stream in high quality.”

Cast: Carmina Villarroel, Mylene Dizon, JC Santos, Kate Alejandrino, Krystal Brimner, Rhed Bustamante, Susan Africa

Release date: June 14, 2020

LOLA IGNA (ERJ Found Film Production Co.)

Production still courtesy of Netflix

An elderly woman finds her life disrupted when her family and village realize she has a chance at a world record for being the oldest grandmother alive. Lola Igna was awarded Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score and Best Actress at the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Awards Night.

Director Eduardo Roy, Jr. shared, “I felt flabbergasted when I got the news from Netflix that the team loved my film, not just one but two of my films. I’m personally thankful to Netflix for introducing ‘Lola Igna’ and ‘Ordinary People’, to a larger audience, not only in the Philippines, but to the whole world. Now my films can be easily accessible anytime, and anywhere around the world.”

Cast: Angie Ferro, Yves Flores, Meryll Soriano, Maria Isabel Lopez, Royce Cabrera, Jojo Riguerra, Armando A. Reyes

Release date: June 18, 2020

UNTRUE (Viva Communications, Inc.)

Production still courtesy of Netflix

Mara moves from the Philippines to the country of Georgia, where she meets a mysterious man, Joachim. They develop feelings for one another, until Joachim claims to hear peculiar sounds and see visions of a strange woman. Director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo delivers an intriguing plot to uncover truth behind this dark tale of domestic dispute.

Cast: Cristine Reyes, Xian Lim

Release date: June 22, 2020

PAMILYA ORDINARYO (ORDINARY PEOPLE) (ERJ Found Film Production Co.)

Screenshot from Pamilya Ordinaryo Trailer via YouTube

Following a story of a teenage couple, barely making a living as pickpockets in Manila, the film shows how the two resort to desperate measures when their one-month-old child is kidnapped. Ordinary People was awarded Best Film, Best Editing, Best Actress, Best Director at the 12th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, as well as Best Actress at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and FAP Awards, under the tutelage of director Eduardo Roy, Jr.

Cast: Ronwaldo Martin, Hasmine Kilip, Maria Isabel Lopez, Sue Prado, Ruby Ruiz, Raymon Lee, Karl Medina, Erlina Villalobos, Menggie Cobrarrubias

Release date: To be announced

To coincide with this consecutive releases, on Independence Day, the comedy special, Jo Koy: In His Elements, will premiere globally on Netflix on June 12, 2020, where the famed half Filipino comedian Jo Koy takes Netflix to celebrate his heritage by telling jokes about life as a Filipino-American while highlighting the culture of Manila.

Koy uses this opportunity to shine a light on other Filipino-American performers by welcoming to the stage famed breakdancer Ronnie, Grammy-winning producer !llmind, singer/songwriter Iñigo Pascual, and comedians Andrew Lopez, Joey Guila, and Andrew Orolfo.