These documentaries about the Philippines offer a lens into the country’s multifaceted identity, exploring its colonial past, the struggles of its people, and the breathtaking landscapes that define its geography.
From the bustling streets of Manila to remote areas, these documentaries about the Philippines unravel the complexities of the country, shedding light on its socio-political dynamics, environmental challenges, and the indomitable spirit that characterizes the Filipino people.
Documentaries About The Philippines
As filmmakers delve into the heart of this archipelago, you are afforded a unique opportunity to witness the beauty, struggles, and triumphs that shape the narrative of the Philippines.
Give Up Tomorrow (2011)
Give Up Tomorrow focuses on the controversial case of Paco Larrañaga, a young man who was accused of kidnapping and murdering the Chiong sisters in Cebu, Philippines, in 1997. The documentary explores the flaws in the Philippine judicial system and raises questions about the fairness of the trial.
Paco Larrañaga, along with several others, was convicted and sentenced to death despite claims of innocence and allegations of irregularities during the trial. The case garnered international attention and became a focal point for human rights advocates, as it highlighted concerns about the rule of law and justice in the Philippines.
Give Up Tomorrow received critical acclaim for its in-depth exploration of the case and its impact on the individuals involved. It sheds light on issues such as corruption, political influence, and the challenges faced by those seeking justice in the Philippine legal system.
This film serves as a powerful commentary on the broader issues of social justice and human rights in the country and is one of the best documentaries about the Philippines you can watch.
Call Her Ganda (2018)
This documentary examines the events surrounding the murder of Jennifer Laude, a Filipina transgender woman, in 2014. The prime suspect is a U.S. Marine named Joseph Scott Pemberton. The case gained significant attention due to the issues of gender identity, LGBTQ+ rights, and the presence of U.S. military forces in the Philippines.
Call Her Ganda delves into various themes, including the struggle for justice, the impact of the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and the broader issues of transgender rights and discrimination. The film highlights the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in a society where acceptance and understanding are often lacking.
It has been praised for shedding light on the struggles faced by transgender individuals, particularly in the context of the legal system and international relations.
Call Her Ganda is a thought-provoking and impactful documentary that addresses important social issues, and it provides a platform for discussions on justice, human rights, and the rights of transgender individuals. It’s easily one of the most interesting and best documentaries about the Philippines you can watch.
Motherland (2017)
Motherland is a portrayal of the lives of mothers and families in one of the world’s busiest maternity wards, located in the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, Philippines.
The documentary provides an intimate look at the challenges, joys, and complexities of motherhood, as well as the larger social and economic factors that impact the lives of the women giving birth in the hospital.
It explores topics such as overpopulation, poverty, and the cultural aspects of childbirth in the country and is one of the best documentaries about the Philippines that explores this problem.
Deadliest Roads: Philippines
The island of Mindanao to the South of the Philippines has not yet fully joined the modern world. In the province of Bukidnon, the rice harvest still dictates the rhythm of life.
With every harvest, the farmers of the small village of Kalabugao, located in the middle of the mountains, entrust their precious goods to the drivers and the brokers in charge of selling them to the market. Overloaded lorries travel 70 kilometres. The journey usually takes around six hours, but during the rainy season, it can take as much as several days.
Muddy ditches, landslides, vehicle breakdowns. A little further South in the Santiago de Compostela Valley, strange lorries travel to the inaccessible gold mines to exhaust every last opportunity still left there.
The Fight Over Manila’s Last Forests: Masungi Watershed
The Masungi Georeserve in the Philippines is a nature sanctuary near the capital, Metro Manila. It also serves as a vital watershed that helps prevent floods and landslides affecting over 14 million people.
Forest rangers Kuhkan and Moktar Maas, along with reforestation officer John Paul Magana are part of Masungi Georeserve Foundation, defending the lands against illegal resorts and quarries inside the protected zones.
This is one of the best documentaries about the Philippines that covers some of the environmental challenges in the country.
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991)
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse is a documentary film that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic war film “Apocalypse Now” (1979) which was filmed in the Philippines.
The documentary includes footage shot by Coppola’s wife, Eleanor, during the production of “Apocalypse Now.” It delves into the challenges, hardships, and creative struggles faced by the filmmakers during the making of the iconic and troubled film.
Hearts of Darkness offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of filmmaking, especially on a large-scale production with a demanding and ambitious vision. The title, “Hearts of Darkness,” is a reference to Joseph Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness,” which inspired “Apocalypse Now.”
The documentary received critical acclaim for its candid portrayal of the filmmaking process and the toll it can take on those involved. Although not specifically a documentary about the Philippines, it is set in the country, and gives a glimpse into the region. It is also a brilliant documentary in its own right.
The Nightcrawlers (2019)
The Nightcrawlers is a documentary produced by National Geographic that focuses on a group of photojournalists in the Philippines who cover the extrajudicial killings related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
The documentary provides an in-depth look at the challenges faced by these photojournalists, often referred to as “nightcrawlers,” as they document the brutal realities of the drug war. The filmmakers explore the ethical dilemmas and dangers faced by journalists in their pursuit of truth.
Out of these documentaries about the Philippines this is one of the best ones looking at this serious subject.
Lives of People in The Fast-Changing Philippines
From the capital Manila to a small rice-growing village of Cambulo, take a tour around the Philippines, where lifestyles vary drastically depending on the geography within the country.
Each of the 7,641 islands of the archipelago offers a unique landscape in the western Pacific Ocean. This tour explores the natural beauty of the archipelago as well as the political, and social issues and movements which have arisen in the Philippines, ranging from reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights to the housing crisis and depopulation of the rural areas.
Storm Children: Book One (2014)
Storm Children: Book One explores the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the Philippines in November 2013. The film focuses on the experiences of children and their families who were affected by the devastating typhoon.
Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, and it caused widespread destruction in the Philippines. “Storm Children: Book One” provides a glimpse into the lives of those affected and the challenges they faced in the aftermath of the disaster.
The filmmaker Lav Diaz who made this documentary is known for his long-form storytelling and his commitment to addressing social and political issues in the Philippines through his films. “Storm Children: Book One” is part of his body of work that engages with the impact of natural disasters and the resilience of communities facing adversity.
Surviving Against All Odds in The Philippines
Dive into the lesser-seen corners of the country in this documentary about the Philippines that showcases how people adapt and thrive in extreme conditions. This is a great one to watch.
Philippines
Those are some of the best documentaries about the Philippines that you can watch covering many different aspects of the country.
For more on the region take a look at the 15 best documentaries about Japan.
And for more on the country have a look at my guides to the Philippines.
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