Pinoy netizens are on the fence about supporting "Hayop Ka: The Nimfa Dimaano Story," the first Filipino animated production that will stream on Netflix on October 29.
While excitement is high over the major opportunity that it presents for Filipino animators, politics came to play when it was learned that Robin Padilla, a staunch supporter of President Duterte, was part of the cast.
Padilla voices the character of Roger, the boyfriend of the lead female character Nimfa, voiced by Angelica Panganiban. Sam Milby, Arci Muñoz and Empy Marquez also join as supporting characters.
Despite calls for a boycott, there were also those who were torn because of the hard work that Pinoy animators put into the film to showcase the Filipinos’ artistic skills in a global platform. Some were firm that they won’t give the film a chance because of their opposition to the actor’s political views.
No matter which side of the fence you stand, there are some good reasons to support "Hayop Ka: The Nimfa Dimaano Story" when it streams on Netflix next month:
- It has a unique premise for Netflix anyway. The film is marketed by Rocketsheep Studio and Spring Films as the first Filipino film for adults. Judging by the current fare on the international streaming platform, none of the films cater to this specific genre. Most of the animes on Netflix are intended for children and young adults while American animated series that cater to a mature audience do not tackle the rom-com genre.
- It's cute and funny. Imagine your favorite hugot films in the form of animated cartoon animals. Nimfa Dimaano seems like a character that will both infuriate viewers and endear herself to them as well. The humor is very Filipino so it will definitely feel like a series of inside jokes strewn together.
- Imagine all the effort that went into making it. The animation process is long and tedious and the fact that Rocketsheep was able to come out with a full length animated movie with its limited resources is a marvel in itself. They deserve the chance to be discovered by the world.
- It will open doors for more artists. With Netflix showcasing the amazing artwork and skills that Pinoy animators are capable of, it could open doors for more partnerships and opportunities to deliver original Pinoy content to the world.
Check out the trailer for yourself before you decide whether to support or boycott.