The “Asian Persuasion” cast (L-Right) Dante Basco (Mickey), KC Concepcion (Avery), Kevin Kreider (Caspian), and Paolo Montalban (Lee). Scarlett Sher (Sam) | Photo courtesy of Asian Persuasion/Troi Santos)
NEW YORK – Asian Persuasion, a movie that marks the debut as a director of Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino, bagged the prestigious Audience Award for Best Full-Length Film at the 14th edition of the acclaimed Soho International Film Festival held from September 14 to September 21, 2023. The film, which had its world and U.S. (New York) premier, was nominated for Best U.S. Showcase feature film among eight entries.
Awarding ceremonies were held at the Fushimi Times Square in Manhattan on September 21.
The movie was also Mike Ang’s debut as a screenwriter. He is an American lifestyle and entertainment entrepreneur.
The film’s cast includes notable talents such as Dante Basco (“Hook,” “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers), KC Concepcion (“For the First Time”), Paolo Montalban (“Cinderella”), and Kevin Kreider (“Bling Empire”).
The film tells the outlandish story of a down-on-his-luck chef, Mickey de Los Santos (Dante Basco), who, together with his best friend Caspian (Kevin Kreider), cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife, Avery Chua (KC Concepcion), by setting her up with a fake internet dating profile to find her a suitor to re-marry to avoid his substantial alimony obligations.
KC Concepcion posted her excitement over the film’s award on Instagram, saying, “Ang saya” and extending “big love to the entire production.”
MYX Global, a platform that showcases Filipino and Asian music, noted in a story, “The film, which was shot in New York City, features a predominantly Asian cast and production team featuring representation from 21 different countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.”
Upcoming screenings of “Asian Persuasion” in the U.S. include the Richmond International Film Festival on September 28, 2023, and the San Diego Filipino Film Festival on October 8, 2023.
In the Philippines, the film will be released nationwide on November 29th. Fans can catch the “Asian Persuasion” cast and creators during their mall tours on the following dates:
- Nov. 27 – Mandaluyong Manila (SM Megamall)
- Nov. 28 – Makati (Greenbelt)
- Nov. 29 – Cebu (SM City Seaside)
- Dec. 1 – Iloilo (SM City Iloilo)
- Dec. 2 – Bacolod (Ayala Malls Capitol Central)
- Dec. 5 – Pampanga (SM City Clark)
–-With Ricky Rillera/PDM
