Film Police Reviews, or FPR, is a website run by cinephiles not just for fellow cinephiles, but for anyone with even the slightest interest in movies. Our “policing” merely means maintaining a friendly, respectful film community made up of film lovers, filmmakers, and casual moviegoers alike. We do not intend to gatekeep; instead, our mission is to foster insightful discussions on cinema (mainly Philippine cinema, but also international fare) in a manner that’s inclusive and unassuming, yet intelligent.
We publish film reviews, essays, interviews, and press releases, and also produce a podcast called Third World Cinema Club (TWCC).
A brief history
FPR was launched by Armando Dela Cruz in 2014 as a reply to a perceived lack of discussion online about Filipino films then. At that time, the cinephile circle was understandably fatigued, still reeling from the passing of one of its pillars, Alexis Tioseco. Armando’s goal was to create a community that looks at film as an accessible yet impactful form of art.
Soon after, FPR became an established resource for the Philippine corner of international cinema. The publication has been recognized by networks such as GMA News TV and CNN Philippines; institutions like the Film Development Council of the Philippines; and organizers of major film programs like the QCinema and Sinag Maynila Film Festivals.
FPR then went through a lull as the founder and early members moved on from the team, but in 2018, mainstays Tristan Zinampan and Princess Kinoc started collaborating with a new group organized by Michael Edillor, named Third World Cinema Club, which since then has produced a podcast with the same goals as FPR. Eventually, FPR and TWCC merged, and we arrive at the present.
The team
As of writing, Princess Kinoc is the de facto editor-in-chief of FPR, while John Tawasil of Present Confusion leads the TWCC team. The current writers for FPR are Roy Narra, Mae Malaya, Ela Bicera, Engelbert Rafferty, John Tawasil, Princess Kinoc, Jim Paranal of Jimelikula Atbp and occassionally, Le Baltar who now contributes to Rappler and CNN Life.
Our honorary members include Tristan Zinampan, D.J. Ramones of Reverse Delay, and TWCC founding member Paul Castillo of Kung Sine Sine Lang also occasionally contributes to the show, along with many other “friends of the pod”.
Contact us
We welcome any kind of feedback—see the contact page for details. We are also always accepting contributions; FPR × TWCC are built upon collaboration and community, after all.
