Sex and Indie Films

When darkness slowly invades the upper part of the horizon, lights begin to flood the highways. But beneath those big lamp posts are tiny little dark corners where the shadows lurk. And in those little shaded angles fire up a flesh warming extravaganza – what we all know as sex.


Lights. Camera. Action.

UPV Indie Org Logo.

I dream of becoming a film maker. I like to write. And I want to see my writings in motion the way I imagined them to be. In the big screen, maybe? Too ambitious. But yeah, reality check. Film making is not as easy as imagining things. The mind of a writer travels as far as he wants to go the second he wishes to do so. It takes him wherever his story leads  him.

I see a crowded disco bar. Bodies move. Sensual and free. Glistening sweat slowly drip from the hair to the neck. To the collar bone and to the cleavage of this one wasted girl intimately dancing from one man to another. Her long hair, wet and messed up, stick to her sweaty skin. Not paying attention to her being wasted, she continues dancing as she approaches a waiter and asks for another drink. No, she begged for a drink...and somehow is near to breaking down as her forehead begins to wrinkle, her mouth begins to frown and her eyes begin to water.

And then, in just a few seconds...
There’s a man in his forties alone in a dark and dirty prison cell. He sits against the wall. His knees are curled up to his body and his head is buried between the legs. He whispers words only he can understand. Another language, maybe. Or a dialect he grew up with in a region only he can tell. He raises his head. It feels the wall behind him. He starts with a grin and then it becomes laughter. He bangs the back of his head to the wall. The laughter grows louder. But I’m not anymore certain if it is just laughter by itself. I can hear pain and regret.



Back to reality. See what I mean? Only the imagination can do that. However, in film making, you can’t be on your own and then...it’s done! You need people to work with. Creativity is just part of the whole thing. Technical crews, creative team, talents, financers. All these are just few of the things to be considered in making a film. Good thing, Indie Films are “in” these days. And to state a fact, according to various publicities Indie Films are considered the country’s front strategy to uplift our own entertainment industry. The awards Filipino Film Makers have gathered in and out of the country are actual evidences how good or how high our potential really is in the field.

Indie Films are low budgeted films usually tackling issues in the society affecting the majority. Others engaged in this field call it Guerrilla Film Making. According to Mr. Jurilla, one of the speakers on a workshop I have attended, “Guerrilla” means an act of deviance for the common good. Most Indie Films engage on topics mainstream movies do not embark upon. It deals with issues rather not brought about in a confrontation, but only silently ignored and left untouched in the minds of individuals. These kinds of film are not made for commercialization. Most of all, it calls for action among its viewers.

But one thing, utterly obvious, upsets me. Why do most Indie Films tackle about sexuality? About gays and lesbos? About the red light business? About sexual harassments and sexual discriminations? 

A scene from Serbis. Directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza.

Poster of Lihim Ni Antonio. A film by Joselito Altejeros.

Sexuality is not the only problem the society faces. There are so many things that we need to attend to other than sex, lust and the likes. Education. Employment. Politics. Economy. Religion. Family. These are rather more important issues than what had become a trend subject for most Indie Films.

A scene from the film UPCAT. Directed by Roman Olivares.

A scene in Anita Linda's tribute indie film "Adela." Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.

“Indie Films are low budgeted films usually tackling issues”, but nobody in history defined it as cheap films all because of its content and how the concept is executed!
“Indie Film making is an act of deviance for the common good.” What does sex contribute for the common good then?
“These kinds of film are not made for commercialization.” Well, sex sells.
“It calls for action among its viewers.” What action does sex suggest from its viewers?


I haven’t started my own film yet. But I will be - starting in Indie Org.


When darkness begins to embrace the light, it’s not just about the flesh anymore and what it needs. It could be many things.

Defeat. Sorrow. Death. Losing direction. Frustration. Addiction. After all, it depends on the creativity of the imagination. And creativity is not always about sex.