Pinoy BL series on Netflix
Gameboys: Level Up Edition is an extended version of Gameboys — a 13-episode series that was a big hit on YouTube and other streaming platforms
Although neither homosexual plots or roles are new to cinema, the film breaks ground with Lindayag’s character, as “feminine” gays are typically cast as supporting characters.
Philippine BL ( Boys’ Love) series will soon be available for worldwide viewing. If a global audience will like them, the country’s gay- theme films may yet outlive COVID-19.
Local BL fare debuted just as Filipinos were thinking of what else to bingewatch while in quarantine.
The screening of a Pinoy BL film begins right on Christmas Day. The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) also opens on 25 December.
As if providentially, the BL film’s title is The Boy Foretold by the Stars, although the storyline seems to have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. The MMFF, composed of 10 films, runs until 7 January 2021. It’s the first time that the festival will be seen globally — and only because the screenings will be online due to the pandemic.
Tickets affordably priced at P250 can be purchased on Globe’s online cinema ticketing platform Gmovies. The films may be viewed on demand at www.upstream.ph.
On 30 December, another BL film will start screening on Netflix: the extended version of Gameboys. The original version, a 13-episode series, was a big hit YouTube, iWantTFC and other streaming platforms.
Reshot scenes, additional footage
The Netflix version is called Gameboys: Level Up Edition. The original version is still showing per episode for free on the Facebook page of the series’ producer, The IdeaFirst Company.
“Fans new to the series can expect a fresh, kiliggenerating romance. Existing fans can look forward to refreshed and reshot scenes, additional footage, new correspondence, and ‘vidgram’ stories from the characters throughout the series,” said Netflix on its Philippine Twitter recently.
Gameboys is about Cairo (Elijah Canlas) and Gavreel (Kokoy de Santos), two video gamers who find friendship and love online. Written by Ash Malanum and directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, it was among the first Filipino-made BL series created and released amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, The Boy Foretold by the Stars is a romantic comedy about two senior high school boys, who, through the help of a fortune teller, find each other at a school retreat called Journey with the Lord.
It stars Adrian Lindayag as an effeminate and Keann Johnson as a masculine gay.
Although neither homosexual plots or roles are new to cinema, the film breaks ground with Lindayag’s character, as “feminine” gays are typically cast as supporting characters — often as the witty best friend of the lead female character.
The film is written and directed by Dolly Dulu who looks like a transwoman, though she has never publicly identified herself as one, even as she uses a woman’s name. In some of her photos on her social media accounts, she looks like a man and grooms like a man. The Boy Foretold by the Stars is his first directorial job for a full-length feature.
The film is produced by Jodi Sta. Maria of Clever Minds Inc, The Dolly Collection & Brainstormers Lab.
There is one Pinoy series streaming on Netflix, GMA 7’ s Descendants of the Sun, starring Dingdong Dantes.
It will benef it the country’s entertaiment industry to promote Pinoy BL films worldwide.