Quarantine cinema emerges as a film culture and genre characterized by its offering of alternative film practice and prevalent narratives in the time of COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon is a result of necessary adjustments to adapt in these trying times and a critical response to the social, political, and economic issues brought by a public health crisis.
The research questions that this paper sought to answer deal with both the creative process and content: (a) How did the filmmakers of quarantine cinema and organizers of quarantine film festivals, despite the inevitable constraints and challenges, resiliently respond to the imperative need to change in terms of filmmaking and film screening? (b) What are the prevalent themes and patterns in the narratives of quarantine cinema that genuinely depicted the lived experiences based on the overlapping struggles and triumphs of the Filipinos during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The results indicate how quarantine cinema plays its part in sustaining art and culture amidst the virus outbreak by practicing alternative ways of film production that is limited and confined at homes and personal spaces; film aesthetics that deviate from the standardized forms, techniques, and styles; and film exhibition and events that heavily relied on social media and online platforms. Based on the recurring categories of themes in the narratives of quarantine cinema, these audiovisual productions significantly contribute to the data, proof, and collective memories that reveal how the Philippines and its people experienced the virus outbreak intended for cultural and social dialogue, criticism, and discourse.
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