Long live the indies.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Rina Jimenez-David

PEOPLE WHO WERE VIRTUALLY PRESIDING OVER the funeral of the Filipino film industry a few years back didnt reckon with the sudden, unexpected blossoming of indies or independent movies.

So-called because they are largely produced by filmmakers with no or minimal support from commercial studios or big-time producers, independent films have been making the rounds since about a decade ago, but it is only lately that the indie circuit has exploded in both content and audience. Where once such filmmakers like Lav Diaz and Raymund Red exhibited their works on campuses and in art film festivals, today innovative, non-commercial and even edgy movies get to be shown even in mall theaters and on TV. This doesnt mean, though, that indies get to make the same amount of box-office bonanza that …