Fan Girl (2020)

One hell of a ride.

It's an eye-opening watch for those who are the so-called 'fan girls'. It slaps the reality of being a fan to you in just fifteen minutes after the movie started. It was confusing at first, the portrayal of the fiction trying to be reality kind of vibe but the lighting effects helped.

Be warned that this is absolutely for the mature watchers only. It's not something that a girl as young as Jane would be could watch without guidance or context. It's downright the reality of a double life and some scenes are really quite bothersome.

It talks about a highschool girl who is borderline obsessed with Paulo to the point that she skips classes just to see him and then eventually hides at the back of his truck so that she can follow him. She was expecting to meet her prince but it wasn't the case. all she saw was the man behind the man she liked. She saw his double life. Then Paulo lets her stay but man, was it bad. It was just a very broken story.

The storytelling was great. It was a story that wasn't meant for all but a great watch. Be reminded that this is fiction. Fiction, but know that the people you adore may be worlds apart from the person that he or she truly is. We all have lives we keep and secrets we do not tell. I might've not understood it the way that the makers wanted me too but I took something away from it and that's enough for me.

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"You're Just A Fan!"

This movie was a whole rollercoaster. It took a really dark turn and shows the life of fan culture.

Story: The overall message of the movie was there, exposing the real life of celebrities and the extent to which fans will go for their faves. It gives a more realistic point of view of how celebrities really are and how imperfect they are. This is because many of their life shown in the public isn't always what it seems. And the reality of fans and their attitudes towards their faves shouldn't be taken to a large extent. Jane is an example of obsessive fan culture and a victim of the unpretty personalities of celebrities. And I really liked how this movie approached it. On the other hand, many of the scenes were uncomfortable and unnecessary. In addition, I wish there was a better ending because we are unsure of what happens to Paulo after and the mother back in his house.

Acting/Cast: I've heard many great things about Charlie Dizon. She is still young and has acted in a variety of films. This is the first film I've seen her in and she did an amazing job. I also have never seen Paulo in a movie, but he is a well known face and name in the Filipino industry.

Overall: The acting throughout the film was consistent and great. There was no lack of emotion and an overall great performance by the cast. I just wish the story was more developed and not so confusing in some parts. But I would definitely recommend this to someone who wants to watch Filipino films for the first time or enjoy realistic messages about society and how they're portrayed in films.

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Awful

That's not to say the film-making is awful. But this story will devastate you.

**CW: domestic violence, rape**

If you're not one yourself, you would likely be well aware of the intensity that comes with being a true fangirl. In this case, Jane is a typical pop fangirl, willing to go to extreme lengths to be in the presence of her idol, Paulo. She attends a fan event and semi-accidentally ends up in the back of Paulo's ute. He starts driving home, unaware of his passenger.

Paulo's public-facing mask slips quickly but it takes more than a couple of uncouth moments for Jane's fantasy to falter. With Jane trying to play adult, even after Paulo reveals his true character at home, events spiral into darkness. The contrast between the idol she revered and the mundane man before her is shattering.

Now, it's at this point where I feel iffy about this film. Paulo rapes Jane. And while it may not look like it on the surface, this is the point of rupture for Jane.

If you've ever had even passing knowledge of pop idol stans, you would know that sexual fantasies play an important (even if not always outrightly acknowledged) role in a lot of fan culture. The online proliferation of fan-created smut is testimony.

Consequently, we fully expect that Jane has had similar fantasies around sleeping with her idolised image of Paulo. The rupture occurs because when the encounter does happen in real life, it's literally and metaphorically a painful departure from the daydreams.

The rape scene also marks a turning point in Jane's own character development for the final part of the film. It's after this stage that she starts identifying Paulo's abusive behaviour with that of her mother's abusive partner.

I'm iffy about the rape scene because I'm not sure the full gratuity was necessary. However, I don't think censoring it would've really helped so perhaps it does have a place.

In light of the ambivalent ending of the film – (which I liked, with it's cynicism or hope, depending on how you read it) – the story would've likely have packed a bit less of a punch.

I was absolutely wrecked when I first finished this film and originally tried to forget it. But now that a bit of time has passed and I've rewatched the ending, I think it's brutality is its selling point.

It's a reminder as to why we use idol fandom as a form of escapism in the first place. The sweet manufactured nature of pop culture appeals because it's so remote from real life. Who wouldn't jump in the back of their idol's car when given the chance?

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Thoroughly discussed by mature means

Given that the movie is dark, it also tackled such social problems in the Philippines.

The Hallyu effect primarily ​K-pop contributed greatly to the growth of fangirls around the world. The movie was very eye-opener as these times some fangirls keep praising their idols treating them perfectly and forgetting the fact that they are also just any other humans who have wants and needs.

It shocked me as they left me hanging having an open-ended ending. They said that it was for the better as they made it hopeful in a way. But over that nothing registered in my mind except the line '"Putangina/Tangina" which is a curse word.

Anyway, the actors had done an exemplary job. The actor and actress award was very deserved

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