The Boy Foretold by the Stars is a romantic comedy movie about two senior high school boys, who through the help of a fortune teller, find each other at an optional school retreat called Journey with the Lord. (Source: BL Update) Edit Translation
- English
- Deutsch
- magyar / magyar nyelv
- dansk
- Native Title: The Boy Foretold by the Stars
- Also Known As:
- Screenwriter & Director: Dolly Dulu
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
Where to Watch The Boy Foretold by the Stars
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Purchase (sub)
Cast & Credits
- Adrian LindayagDominic CruzMain Role
- Keann JohnsonLuke ArmadaMain Role
- Iyah Mina"Baby R" [The Fortuneteller]Support Role
- Renshi de GuzmanPaulSupport Role
- Rissey ReyesKarenSupport Role
- Vic RobinsonAndoySupport Role
Reviews
Definitely worth watching
I initially hesitated to watch this since it was streaming online for a price (Php 250 or about US$ 5) and it had some limitations (e.g. must be played in 5 days and must be finished watching within 24 hours from your first play). However, curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to watch a BL series on Christmas Day (besides, the other entries in MMFF 2020 were not appealing to me). I am glad I made that decision.The story seems to be quite simple but I think what made this movie good is the acting, cinematography and music. The shots and angles were filmed nicely. (I love that miniature lamps in the field scene coz it appears very romantic and very "kdrama-ey"). The songs and background music were modern yet emotive . Although the film appears to have some budgetary limitations on the production values, the finished film was still good. Kudos to the producer, director, cinematographer and staff for this.
I am not familiar with their other works, but the actors playing the main characters were good especially Adrian Lindayag who plays Dominic. I could feel the emotions especially the "kilig" (romantic excitement) as well as the pain and sadness that comes with that kind of love especially since such relationship is forbidden by the Church (and Philippine society to a large part). The juxtaposition of having a religious background while at the same time patronizing mystic arts like tarot card reading (not to mention it is being done quite near the church) is an honest take on the ironic but real-life situation in the Philippines.
Personally, it's very relatable to me. I too studied in a sectarian catholic high school in the Philippines more than a decade ago. We were also attending masses, spiritual retreats and other religious activities coupled with strict teachers, bullying and even student fights. I especially had a laugh at the "Spanish fan" in the mass scene because that also happened to me although mine wasn't sequestered. Hello! It's a necessity considering the hot weather in school especially in the chapel. :-) In any case, it is a reality in an all-male school that some tend to be derided for being effeminate. One really has to have a strong backbone to stand-up to these dorks and survive the jungle that is high school. It was nice to reminisce high school life with its raging hormones and first love. Awww.
I guess my only small gripe was the final scene between the two leads. It somehow felt hurried to me. Although it was a satisfying happy ending, it kinda felt "kulang" (something was missing) as it abruptly ended after they makeup. Most of all, I especially loved the idea being espoused in this film - that fate is something we create for ourselves and we don't just have to rely on our supposed destiny being told by fortunetellers.
To those who are BL fans (regardless of nationality), I suggest that you watch this. I do hope that this be widely available with English subtitles very soon (and hopefully for free also) so that many more audience worldwide could appreciate it. While this year has seen plenty of Pinoy BL series (most of which are honestly sub-par), the film "The Boy Foretold by the Stars" is done quite well and a welcome "shot in the arm" so to speak to the usual lackadaisical MMFF with its inane, formulaic and predictable movies that we have been used to in the past. Hope this means we will get to see more substantial quality in Filipino movies (not just BL) in the near future.
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Representation!!!
As a late 20's queer guy, I wasn't in senior high school 12 years ago and never had this type of representation back then. I loved how natural both Adrian and Keann representing their characters.The boys did great in telling a story. The lighting in most of the scenes was breath-taking. The storyline is something I haven't seen on other films/series but I am sure is/was happening to every gay teens.They didn't just tell a story, they represent and they did so well in doing it. The songs are all so good, OPM is definitely something to be proud of.
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