I intended to throw myself a Mission Arcade birthday party, or at least do a 15-minute Online Birthday Party like I did last year, but this year I have to focus on something that needs my immediate attention. Sooo much work goes into throwing those parties and it just didn’t time out right. At least I managed to throw a few parties for other people/organizations since the last time I threw a birthday party! When I come back up for air, I promise to host a big party with lots of dancing, games and delicious food once I’m back in action. Until then, if you really want to give me a gift…
…I’d like to make a birthday request.
I’m not a bigshot “film director for hire”. My independent films and music are extensions of me, they’re not just “fun things I do on the side” - they’re literally the only things I do. Unlike a lot of Hollywood directors who have the access, budget and resources to make movies every year, each of my independent films take at least three (3) years to make (thank you Sean Baker for bringing that factoid to the mainstream) and because I am an “Indie Film Lifer”, my life HAS to be about promoting my output. I’m very grateful to have been able to only make things that reflect my values, my predilections and my life, so when I share my work with you it’s because I believe we ought to be friends.
So if you have a moment, I’d love if you could rate at least one of my films on these platforms! It’s really just my first two films (Fruit Fly and I Am a Ghost) that don’t have any reviews or ratings. Of course, what I’d really love is if you rate ALL of my films on these platforms! (BONUS: If you’re a film critic, my first two films have no tomato ratings, and Secret Art is just eleven reviews away from being Certified Fresh! 🍅)
FRUIT FLY (2010) 🏳️🌈
The very first film I ever directed! My queer, brown, feminist, chiptune GUERRILLA MUSICAL is being re-released on March 25, 2025 as a Special Edition BluRay, also available on Digital HD) and will be doing another festival/theatrical run as a Sing-Along presentation!
Rate on IMDb!
Rate on Letterboxd!
Rate on Rotten Tomatoes!
I AM A GHOST (2014) 👻
The 2nd film I ever directed is celebrating a 10th Anniversary Special Edition Release (click HERE for details) and is just as guerilla as my first film. In 2025, Level 33 Entertainment is celebrating it for being a “cult classic” as well as for being an “underrated queer horror film” by including the new video essay by S.L. Void, “Labyrinthian Queer Horror” and will be screening at festivals and theatrically in select locations in 2025.
Rate on IMDb!
Rate on Letterboxd!
Rate on Rotten Tomatoes!
BITTER MELON (2018) 🇵🇭
Depending on how and where you saw this film, you’ll either see this as my “dark Christmas comedy” or my “heavy Filipino film”. Either way, I was just happy to write this film authentically and get the support from ABS-CBN via their Cinematografo program to shoot this crazy little film about toxic masculinity.
Rate on IMDb!
Rate on Letterboxd!
Rate on Rotten Tomatoes!
ATTACK, DECAY, RELEASE (2021-present) 🚀
The arthouse sci-fi musical film I have no intention of putting on home video, mostly because it was designed to play on three screens. Because of this, I’m lucky to have been able to travel with this film and often perform the music live!
Rate on IMDb!
Rate on Letterboxd!
THE SECRET ART OF HUMAN FLIGHT (2024) 🐦
The most recent film starring Academy Award nominee Paul Raci. It’s also the first film I directed that I didn’t write! We’re just eleven reviews away from being Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes!
Rate on IMDb!
Rate on Letterboxd!
Rate on Rotten Tomatoes!
And for those of you who are just learning about me, please take a look at the rest of my work on this website (www.hpmendoza.com) and see if there’s anything that tickles your fancy!
気を付けて
Ingat.
Take care.
H.P.
