LIST: 5 films by the late Eduardo Roy Jr. to add to your watchlist
On Feb. 21, the local film scene lost critically-acclaimed director and screenwriter Eduardo Roy Jr., aka Direk Edong due to complications caused by pneumonia and lymphoma.
The 41-year-old independent filmmaker received several awards for several of his works, including accolades from Cinemalaya, Hanoi International Film Festival, and Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
Roy's films are inspired by real people and real events, which for him, has its own unique story. "I like knowing the story behind the story of people's seemingly ordinary lives," he said In a director's statement for one of his films.
"I get curious and ask questions, what would the characters do given their unique set of challenges and situation? Who is the real victim here? What will they do if no one is watching them?" Roy added.
In honor of the late director, here's a list of some of his thought-provoking acclaimed films.
Pamilya Ordinaryo (2016)
This Cinemalaya award-winning film follows the story of teenage parents Jane and Aries who are surviving the chaotic streets of Manila as pickpockets. But when their month-old baby is stolen from them, the young couple resort to other desperate measures.
Written and directed by Roy, Pamilya Ordinaryo is available to stream on Netflix.
Bahay Bata (2011)
In Bahay Bata, Roy gives audiences a glimpse at the overcrowded labor wards in Manila hospitals. He premiered the movie internationally and had members of the medical community in Spain and France reach out to him because of it.
The film is centered around Sarah, a nurse at a Public Maternity Hospital working on Christmas Day.
Quick Change (2013)
This Cinemalaya film follows Dorina (played by Mimi Juareza), a trans woman with a flourishing career in the illegal cosmetic surgery business. Things get complicated when her nephew Uno falls in love with someone who's trans.
Lola Igna (2019)
Inspired by Roy's relationship with his maternal great-grandmother, Lola Igna is a "what if" story from the filmmaker pondering on if he got more time to bond and learn about his Sagada-resident lola.
The titular character is bent on winning "the oldest living grandmother in the world" title. Meanwhile, her long-lost great-great-grandson, Tim, wants to get in on the fame his grandmother acquired.
You can watch this award-winning film on Netflix.
Fuccbois (2019)
Roy brings his audience to the world of male bikina pageant contestants sidelining as escorts. As aspiring actors Ace and Mico compete in the Mr. Galaxy pageant, they find themselves in a compromising predicament when they're caught together on video by a certain Brittany. The two young men work together to make sure the video is never released.
Fuccbois is available to stream on Mubi.