Chinese author Jia Zhangke has joined Filipino director Rafael Manuel’s Sundance Film Festival-only debut film “Filipina” as an executive producer ahead of its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Veteran Chinese helmer Unknown Pleasures Pictures also acquired distribution rights in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Magnify handles global sales.
Austin Kennedy negotiated the contract on behalf of Magnify, and Casper Liang Jiayan represented Unknown Pleasures Pictures. Global Sales Director Kennedy and Global Sales Manager Phoebe Liebling will launch international sales for Filipinana at Sundance.
Manuel’s feature is an expansion of the short story of the same name, which won the 2020 Berlinale Silver Bear Award. The film follows Isabel, a new tee girl at an elite golf course and country club in Manila, as she navigates the hierarchies of her position while helping club owner Dr. Palanca. As she uncovers the dark truth beneath the club’s sophisticated exterior, Isabel realizes that her attraction to Dr. Palanca stems from a disturbing shared past.
“Thanks to the Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative, I had the pleasure of getting to know Rafael. During the two-year program, we spent time together in Beijing, exchanging ideas and discussing films. Our conversations always revolved around ‘Filipinana,'” said Gia. “I witnessed Rafael’s passion and creativity for this film from the beginning, and I also experienced its preparation and filming in Manila. We will soon see this film in theaters and hear a new voice in Asian cinema from the Philippines.”
The production features a new cast, including Joliebel Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzmán, Carlitos Sigion-Reina, Isabel Sikat, and Nour Houshmand. Ksenia Patricia (The Hundred Nights of Heroes) serves as the cinematographer.
“This film took a long time to make because we were quite patient and willing to look for the right collaborators,” Manuel said. “I am truly humbled to be able to count Director Ji-ah among the filmmakers I deeply respect as both an artist and a human being.”
Film4 developed and co-financed the project. Producers include Potocol (“Inside the Yellow Cocoon”) The cast includes Jeremy Chua and Sam Chua Wei-shi from Epic Media Productions (Vietnam & Nam), Alex Polunin from BAFTA Award-winning producer Ossian International (Lady), Nadia Turinchev and Omar El Kady from Easy Riders, and Manuel from his Idol Eye banner.
In addition to director Jia Zhangku, other executive producers include Farhana Bourla of Film4, Josette C. Atayde and Maria Sofia Atayde-Mardo of Nathan Studio, Anthony C. Isais and Grace Marielle M. Isais of Happy Infinite Productions, and Sebastian Lorber and Francine Lorber.
Manuel is based in London, Amsterdam and Manila and has a strong reputation on the festival circuit. His short film Filipinana won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival and was nominated for Best British Short at the 2020 British Independent Film Awards.
Unknown Pleasures Pictures has released the Italian film “There’s Still Tomorrow,” directed by Paola Cortelesi, and Charlie Chaplin’s classic “The Gold Rush,” in China. Upcoming films include Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, Kleber Mendonca Filho’s The Secret Agent, Koji Fukada’s The Trial of Love, Sho Miyake’s Two Seasons, Two Strangers, and Andrea Segre’s The Great Ambition.
Magnify represents a catalog of over 100 titles. The company rebranded from Magnolia Pictures International in 2023 to focus on early-stage investments in bold filmmaking. Recent titles include “Erupcja,” “Barrio Triste,” “OBEX,” “The Delinquents,” “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” and “Happyend.”
Magnify’s upcoming films include The Countess of Blood, starring Isabelle Huppert and directed by Ulrike Oettinger, which will have its world premiere at next month’s Berlin Film Festival.
