“I wrote the script with Jake in mind playing the lead character after we met in the Ani ng Dangal Awards, where I won for the short film I produced, ‘Astray’, and he, for ‘Mulat’,” she says. “I’m so happy when he accepted the project after reading the script kasi when you get the right actor, halos tapos na ang trabaho mo. I’m happy that a mainstream actor like him is very open and willing to take chances on an independent film. Ganun din kay Anna Luna. Ang daming nag-audition but she stood out at siya na ang choice namin agad after she auditioned.”
The movie is personal to her. “It’s about unrequited love and the need to move on. I’m going through something like it when I wrote the script, hoping it will release all the pent up emotions inside of me and eventually find healing. I was so glad when Cinemalaya chose it as one of this year’s ten finalists. Hundreds of entries were submitted and qualifying in it is like a nod of credibility in my aim to be a filmmaker.”
Jake is very pleased with the completed film. “This is a very good start for Nerissa. I’m sure maraming kukuha sa services niya after this one.”
“Unrequited” will start showing at the CCP and Ayala Malls starting this Saturday. Jake has plans of giving it a wider theatrical release later.
