By: Raizza Dauz
Take this as one those films that’s an eye opener to older generation, Billie and Emma is set in the mid-90’s. The film tells the story of Billie, a troublemaker from the big city, who finds herself exiled to San Isidro to live with her spinster aunt who is also the town’s religion teacher.
As director Samantha Lee’s second queer film after being behind 2016’s Baka Bukas which starred Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Louise delos Reyes, this year, we look forward to Billie & Emma.
The roles of Billie and Emma are played by actresses Zar Donato and Gabby Padilla. Gabby was recently seen in Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral as Dolores Nable Jose and in the Youtube series, Sabagay Life as Timi. Zar, on the other hand, is a filmmake and videographer who appears to be new to the acting scene. The film also stars Beauty Gonzales as Emma’s mom and Ryle Tan as her boyfriend.
Not only nostalgia is up in the movie. It’s here to remind us of how simple the life was back then and the things we loved from our childhood (think about brick games!), it will also serve as something that is going to benefit the LGBTQIA+ community (we hope)
Determined to change her ways and get through the last year of high school without any incidents, Billie in the movie hides herself from the world until she meets Emma, the ambitious, star student who gets Billie out of her shell.
A big twist is going to complicate their happy, bubbly world when they found out something big. Together, they explore the fleeting nature of love and life on this journey of growth, laughter, and music.
Samantha Lee is a filmmaker who advocates for better representation of women and the LGBTQIA+ community in local cinema. Her first film, Baka Bukas, has won various awards both here and abroad. She most notably won the Emerging Talent Award at Outfest 2017, the biggest LGBTQIA+ film festival in the world.
If you are interested to watch this, watch the trailer first to experience that tinge of nostalgia before watching the movie!
Young ECHO 
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