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Manila Bulletin devider devider Love, depression in films

Love, depression in films

Published Nov 15, 2018 04:24 pm
Rhian Ramos and JM de Guzman Rhian Ramos and JM de Guzman LOVE AND DEPRESSION: In the heat of inflation and confusion, have we become at the same time a nation of love-struck romantics? Or, shall we say, skeptics? If the current harvest of the local movie industry is to be the gauge, it seems we have all become crazy in love, or depressed by it. Every other film opening week after week, on Wednesdays, is usually a two-character rom-com and nothing more… or nothing but. Gone are the days when moviegoers had varied options to choose from when they set out to watch local movies. Consider the titles, themes and stories told in the recent harvest of films shown and showing soon in cinemas. Some of them made very well at the box office while others didn’t. Note that many of them are built around so-called hugot stories, stories of heartbreak, separation, break-up, failure to move on, and eventually depression. They are the stuff romantic comedy movies, currently the staple in Philippine cinema, are made of. They are also a reflection of a pervasive spread of mental illness threatening today’s population, especially affecting our youth. • • • NOTHING BUT LOVE: Consider the following: “The Hows Of Us” “Exes Baggage” “Miss Granny” “The Day After Valentine’s” “Meet Me In St. Gallen” “Mr. & Mrs. Cruz” “Para Sa Broken Hearted” “First Love” “The Hopeful Romantic” “My Perfect You” “Bagyong Bheverlynn” “To Love Some Buddy” “Kung Paano Siya Nawala” “Through Night And Day” Movies under production from both mainstream and indie sectors go by these forthcoming titles, prompting an observer to exclaim, “Haven’t we had enough of them?” Here are more titles: “Project Feb 14” “One Great Love” “Portrait Of My Love” “Mary, Marry Me” “Recipe For Love” “Glorious 50” “Open” “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko Sa Love” • • • TO LAUNCH SOMEBODY: Love-themed movies have served as launching pads of actors looking for a break. Among those launched through the genre are Alessandra de Rossi, Empoy, Christian Bables, Alex Gonzaga, Pepe Herrera, Arci Muñoz, Ritz Azul, Zanjoe Marudo, Pia Wurtzbach, Carlo Aquino, Paolo Contis, Bela Padilla, and just about everybody else.
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