Kapamilya star Anthony Jennings is set to make his international film debut in Sonny Calvento’s “Mother Maybe,” a horror dramedy that introduces a unique blend of genres to global audiences.
“Bata pa ako, nanonood ng pelikula sa bahay, ito na ‘yung goal,” Jennings shared in an interview held in Quezon City on Friday.
Co-written by Calvento and producer Arden Rod Condez, the film follows Marco (played by Jennings), who travels to Tokyo, Japan, to reconnect with his estranged mother while participating in a high-stakes Japanese game show. But things take a dark turn when he discovers a terrifying 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,” said Calvento.
Jennings, known for taking on bold and unconventional roles, embraced the challenge.
“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,” he said.
Calvento revealed that Jennings was their only choice for the role—one they had been crafting for nearly five years.
“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,” Calvento recalled. “Feeling ko malaking factor din na kay [Anthony] bagay role kasi ‘yung mga pinagdaanan sa buhay niya ‘yon preparation niya for the role.”
Filming for “Mother Maybe” is scheduled to begin by the end of the year, with plans to premiere at prestigious international festivals including Cannes, Toronto, and Sundance.
“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,” said Condez.
“The audience for international films, they are interested malaman kuwento sa Pilipinas at pwede nila kapitan,” he added.
Calvento is no stranger to the global stage. His debut feature “The Decaying” (Nabubulok, 2017) premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, while his short film “Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss” became the first Filipino short to be selected at Sundance. It later won the Audience Award at Locarno Shorts Week 2023. His second short, “Primetime Mother,” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“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 explained.
“Kaya natin makipagsabayan. If nagpunta ka and nanood ng European films, makikita mo kaya ng Pinoy sumabay,” he added.
“Mother Maybe” is also deeply personal for Calvento, who shared that the story is a tribute to his own mother, who left when he was two. It also echoes the real-life experiences of millions of Filipino mothers working abroad as domestic helpers.
“Yung ginagawa namin, para siyang therapy sa akin kasi binabalikan ‘yung wounds na-experience mo noong bata ka,” he admitted.