Filipino boy band SB19 has by no means been afraid to indicate their humanity, however their Netflix documentary “Pagtatag! The Documentary” takes that vulnerability to new depths. In a candid dialog in regards to the movie, the five-member group – Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin – displays on seven years of development, wrestle, and the load of carrying P-pop’s flag on the worldwide stage.
The documentary, directed by Jed Regala, who beforehand directed a number of SB19 music movies, chronicles the group’s journey throughout their “Pagtatag!” EP period, however what emerges is excess of a typical music business success story. It’s an unflinching take a look at 5 younger males navigating psychological well being challenges, business pressures, and the profound accountability of representing a whole musical motion.
“Seeing our journey, the highs and struggles, unfold on display screen made us respect how far we’ve come collectively as a bunch and people,” displays Ken. “For a few of us, it was the primary time seeing elements of our journey so overtly shared, and that vulnerability was scary and in addition therapeutic.”
The group was deeply concerned in shaping the documentary’s closing minimize, with Justin enjoying a very hands-on function in restructuring the narrative stream. “After I first noticed the preliminary draft, the timeline felt complicated as a result of the clips weren’t organized chronologically,” he explains. “I instructed that we comply with the precise sequence of occasions. I felt that even with a chronological construction, we might nonetheless ship the emotional affect and storytelling we needed.”
The choice to handle psychological well being, business stress, and private loss so immediately wasn’t taken flippantly. “We imagine it’s vital to be actual and sincere in regards to the challenges we face daily,” says Stell. “Opening up about psychological well being, business stress, and private troubles helps break the stigma and reveals that although we’re artists and performers, we’re nonetheless human.”
This transparency extends to their relationship with their fanbase, A’TIN, whose tales are woven all through the documentary. “The tales of our followers moved us deeply,” Stell continues. “Listening to how our music helped folks with grief and darkish instances, and even gave them a way of goal and power – it’s overwhelming in one of the simplest ways. We’re human too, so generally it appears like they saved us in an identical method.”
Their breakthrough got here with 2019’s “Go Up,” resulting in their historic 2021 Billboard Music Award nomination – the primary for a Filipino act. Current successes embrace their hit “Gento,” which sparked viral dance challenges throughout social media platforms and attracted collaborations with Ok-pop teams like ATEEZ and artists like JVKE.
Their newest launch, “Simula at Wakas,” launched with the only “Dam,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s World Digital Tune Gross sales chart, reaching prime 20 positions in a number of worldwide markets. The EP’s title, which means “Starting and Finish,” displays the group’s present transitional second.
“We’re caught between an ending and a brand new starting,” Pablo explains. “Creatively, we’re extra sincere, extra in command of our sound. Personally, we’ve grown a lot within the years that we’ve been collectively. I might say that that is the period that we’re the strongest when it comes to our bond.”
The success brings its personal burdens. “With every milestone comes extra stress,” admits Stell. “The expectations get increased, not simply from others but in addition from ourselves. And the stress doesn’t cease. It simply evolves.”
Justin provides that the group consistently grapples with artistic selections: “We’re consistently discussing which course to take, what concepts nonetheless mirror SB19, and what’s going to actually join with folks. We don’t at all times comply with developments, and generally making an attempt one thing new is a threat, particularly when folks won’t be open to it.”
The Netflix platform represents unprecedented world attain for P-pop. “Having our story streamed on Netflix is a large step not only for us, however for P-pop as an entire,” says Ken. “It actually validates all of the years of arduous work and reveals that Filipino expertise deserves to be seen and heard on the identical platform as different world artists.”
Josh sees the documentary as half of a bigger mission: “Our aim goes past SB19. We wish to assist P-pop acquire world recognition and assist our tradition, arts, and financial system. It’s an formidable dream however every thing is linked.”
For Pablo, the documentary provides worldwide audiences an opportunity to know the genuine Filipino perspective: “‘Pagtatag! The Documentary’ will let folks, particularly non-Filipinos, see the guts behind what we do. It’s not nearly music or success, however in regards to the struggles, the aim, and the tradition we stock. SB19, or P-pop basically, will not be making an attempt to be anybody else. We’re constructing one thing rooted in who we’re as Filipinos.”
The group stays pushed by their authentic starvation. “As SB19 and as people, we at all times attempt to assume like underdogs,” notes Justin. “This mindset helps us continue to grow, pushing ourselves, and attaining extra. On the similar time, we actually respect our accomplishments and the way a lot A’TIN seems as much as us.”
When requested what message they hope reaches viewers discovering them for the primary time, Josh’s response is easy however highly effective: “I actually hope they see no dream is just too large, you simply must hold working and making an attempt. I hope they perceive that our story isn’t just about music, it’s about believing in your self it doesn’t matter what.”
The documentary has already deepened the connection between SB19 and their followers. “There was a time after we have been very quiet on social media, which was uncommon as a result of A’TIN was used to us being very energetic and fascinating,” Stell reveals. “Throughout that quiet interval, we have been going by private struggles that they didn’t learn about. The documentary helped clarify why we have been distant, and it deepened the belief between us and A’TIN.”
As they appear towards the long run, Pablo displays on what sustains the group by quieter moments. “I maintain on to the aim,” he says. “We’re not right here only for consideration. We’re right here to create one thing significant. When issues get messy or quiet, I’m at all times reminded why we began. That retains me going.”
For SB19, the documentary’s world attain represents validation of years of dedication. As Ken displays: “We might not say we deserved every thing that got here our method, however we all know we needed to undergo it to know the worth of what we’ve constructed. We’re pleased with how far we’ve come, and we’re assured that with resilience and coronary heart, we are able to hold going through no matter comes subsequent.”
“Pagtatag! The Documentary” streams from July 23.