AFTER premiering and gaining recognition as 2nd Best Picture at the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival, the boys’ love movie, The Boy Foretold by the Stars, transfers to the small screen as a six-episode series titled Love Beneath the Stars on iWantTFC.
As their love story continues on the series, senior high school students Dominic (played by Adrian Lindayag) and Luke (Keann Johnson) officially become a couple. However, their relationship is threatened by scrutiny because of a scandal, a third party, and the disapproval of grown-ups.
Writer and director Dolly Dulu said the movie focused on finding your soulmate and the love story. In the series, Dominic and Luke also deal with the relationship with their parents, and their characters’ commitment with each other.
“This is where they will discover what it takes to be committed to someone. It is not all happy, kilig moments. There is also maturity involved with all characters,” Mr. Dulu said, in English and Filipino, at an online press conference on Aug. 9 held via Zoom.
“Even if broader issues are tackled, it is still, at its core, a love story,” Mr. Dulu said.
In the sequel, Dominic’s deepening friendship with a fellow schoolmate, Gio (Vaughn Piczon), causes tension between him and Luke.
Adding to their problems is the uproar at their all-boys Catholic school after they attend their graduation ball as each other’s dates and share a kiss in public. The issue also upsets Dominic’s parents (played by Agot Isidro and Romnick Sarmenta), who strongly disapprove of his relationship with Luke.
“We’re not just talking about the love between Luke and Dominic. We’re also talking about their love or their problems outside of their relationship,” Keann Johnson said.
“For this series the message we’re trying to send out there is we’re trying to help guide the people who are having similar situations and help them solve them through telling the story of how Luke and Dominic solve these problems,” he added.
Adrian Lindayag said that it has been heartwarming to get feedback from the movie’s viewers about the importance of representation.
“Matagal na nating hinihintay na makita ang sarili natin sa pelikula at sa TV na nai-in love. Matagal nang present ang LGBT sa pelikula at sa TV, pero hindi sila nabibigyan ng romcom na kilig story, at hinanap ko ’yun (We have long waited to see ourselves fall in love in movies and on television. The LGBT community has been present in movies and on television for a long time, but they are not given a romcom story, and I looked for that),” Mr. Lindayag said.
The series also stars Nikki Valdez, Victor Silayan, and Iyah Mina.
The Boy Foretold by the Stars is currently streaming for free on iWantTFC in the Philippines. The movie and its sequel series are also accessible to premium iWantTFC subscribers outside the Philippines. Love Beneath the Stars premieres on Aug. 16 on iWantTFC, with new episodes released on Mondays. — MAPS