NARRATIVE SHORT
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
USA | 20 minutes | 2022
Comedy, LGBTQ+ short film directed by Michael Manese
Starring Philippe Garcesto, Edgar Eguia, Chris Paul Morales, Jeremy Rafal, Jill Jose, Jasmine Malave, Joyce Laoagan, Alfie Supan
Filipinos Get Some
A guy in NYC runs into an ex-girlfriend on his way to meet his friends at a picnic to propose marriage to his current girlfriend.
Interview
CineAsian Films (CAF): What was the inspiration behind Filipinos Get Some?
Michael Manese: One summer while hanging out in Central Park, by Bethesda Fountain, my wife and I noticed two back to back public marriage proposals, complete with photographers, friends, family, balloons, presents etc. A guy proposed to his girlfriend, she said yes, there was celebration, then they moved on to make room for the next couple who did the same exact thing. We just thought it was silly because we both agreed that proposals should be done in private.
CAF: What were some of the challenges you faced while making this film?
Manese: I was awarded the grant to make the film in the summer of 2020. Unfortunately it was in the middle of the pandemic so I had to wait a year to shoot it (after vaccines and boosters were developed, and the cast and crew vaccinated).
CAF: What do you hope people can take away from watching this?
Manese: I want mainstream audiences to be more familiar with Filipinos, our looks, our mannerisms, our culture but at the same time I don’t want to beat people over the head with them. Like with my favorite film “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle,” the two lead Asian characters are just going around doing things that most American kids do, but you never forget that they’re Asians. It’s like introducing Filipino characters and actors in popular, mainstream stories through the back door.
CAF: Are you working on anything new right now?
Manese: Yes, a feature length screenplay of my short film “The Pleasure of Being Served,” also with an Asian lead character.
Filipinos Get Some is one of the many great projects shared with CineAsian Films through our submissions process. If you’d like to join them, submit your project.
Credits
Director, Writer, Producer, Editor: Michael Manese
Cinematographer: Jeremy Hopwood
CineAsian Films 