Anthony Jennings, Instagram

Kapamilya star Anthony Jennings is set to make his international film debut in Sonny Calvento’s “Mother Maybe,” a horror dramedy that aims to introduce a unique cinematic style to the global audience. 

“Bata pa ako, nanonood ng pelikula sa bahay, ito na 'yung goal,” Jennings said in an interview held in Quezon City, Friday.

The genre-blending flick, co-written by Calvento and producer Arden Rod Condez, follows Marco (Jennings) as he reunites with his estranged mother in Tokyo, Japan, while competing in a high-stakes Japanese game show. However, the real games begin when he discovers a chilling secret: his mother transforms into a monster at night.

“'Yung film kinuwento sa point of view (POV) ni Anthony. Lahat ng eksena makikita no siya doon. Never mo ma-miss. 'Yung transition ng genre naka-angkla paano niya aartehan at ikukuwento. Magsisimula ‘yon akala mo comedy ‘to and it will transition into something more dramatic and serious,” Calvento said.

“Nang pini-pitch sakin nagugulat ako pero sabi ko, 'Ha? May ganoon? Sige!' Gusto ko talaga mga unusual na film. Excited na ko prepare nga nuances pwede ko dagdag,” Jennings added.

The director revealed Jennings was the only choice to take on the role that would finally breathe life into the script they had been developing for nearly half a decade.

“Pinaka-challenging sa amin isipan sino [ang lead]. Wala kami maisip na bagay until napanood ko siya sa ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,' simula pa lang. Presented namin siya sa producers sa Singapore and Taiwan. Nagputol kami ng clips, super tuwang-tuwa sila,” he recalled. “Feeling ko malaking factor din na kay [Anthony) bagay role kasi 'yung mga pinagdaanan sa buhay niya ‘yon preparation niya for the role.”

“Mother, Maybe” is set to begin filming at the end of the year and is targeting prestigious film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, among others.

“We have been pitching this for two years. From here, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, umabot kami Saudi to find investors so marami na nakakaalam na at nag-aabang,” Arden Rod Condez said.

“The audience for international films, they are interested malaman kuwento sa Pilipinas at pwede nila kapitan,” he added.

Calvento is no stranger to the international film scene, having gained recognition at renowned festivals worldwide. “Mother Maybe” marks his second feature film, following his debut with "The Decaying" (Nabubulok, 2017), which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival.

Meanwhile, Calvento’s "Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss" (2019) was the first Filipino short selected for the Sundance Film Festival. The film also won the Audience Award at Locarno Shorts Week 2023. His second short, "Primetime Mother" (2023), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was showcased at several other prestigious festivals.

“It takes time to introduce yourself to international audiences. Gumawa ako ng short films to introduce myself. In a way, nakatulong. Importante bilang filmmaker may pinaglalaban ka at gusto mo sabihin sa mga kwento mo sana may matutunan and mauwi sila. And 'yun din hanap ng international audience at ang appeal sa kanila,” he said.

“Kaya natin makipagsabayan. If nagpunta ka and nanood ng European films, makikita mo kaya ng Pinoy sumabay,” he added. 

The director shared the film is a homage to his estranged mother, who left when he was two years old. His personal story also reflects the experiences of some two million Filipino mothers who leave their families to work overseas as domestic helpers.

“Yung ginagawa namin, para siyang therapy sa akin kasi binabalikan 'yung wounds na-experience mo noong bata ka,” he admitted.

Anthony Jennings to star in his first international film

RELATED VIDEOS: