Jhett Tolentino, celebrated for his Tony and Grammy awards, recently took a courageous step into the director’s chair with his debut full-length film, “Asian Persuasion.” The film made its world premiere at the Soho International Film Festival, marking a significant milestone in Tolentino’s illustrious career. The film had two sold-out screenings and it won the Audience Award for full-length feature.
The creative process was not without its challenges, as Tolentino candidly revealed, “Editing was a very excruciating process for me because I love all of them. I had to give up a lot of great scenes and I had to stay objective and stay true to the story.”
“Asian Persuasion” delves into the surge of Asian content, riding the wave of its unprecedented popularity. The film boasts a stellar cast, including industry veterans like Dante Basco, Paulo Montalban, and KC Concepcion. Their seasoned performances added a depth that only accomplished actors can bring. Geneva Carr and Kevin Kreider further elevated the ensemble, leading Tolentino to affirm, “You can never go wrong with casting like this.”
“It was a great project and we had great partners and collaborators,”shared Mike Ang, who wrote the screenplay. “It’s my first time as a filmmaker so this journey has been very special. I had a vision and other people came to help me make that a reality and I can’t thank them enough.”
Balancing the demands of filming with fundraising posed its own set of challenges during the production phase. Tolentino admitted, “While we were in production, we’re still fundraising, so to me, that was a challenge that really took a lot of time. Instead of just focusing artistically, I had to allocate my time to be a producer.”
When asked about the possibility of returning to Broadway as a producer, Tolentino revealed the financial complexities of the industry. “In one musical, I can make five films,” he pondered. His newfound love for filmmaking stems from its enduring nature, in stark contrast to the transient nature of live theater.
Tolentino emphasized the invaluable learning curve of his directorial debut. Acknowledging his unconventional path, he immersed himself in studying lenses and frames. Drawing inspiration from directors without formal film education, he said, “I had to look into other directors who did not go to film school also because I did not. I’m an accountant by profession so I had to learn. If I had to change anything, it would be like investing in more equipment like the drone operators, and the Steadicam operators, because that really boosts the feel and the visual of the movie.”
The film stands as a heartfelt tribute to New York, a city that profoundly shaped Tolentino’s career and life’s trajectory. “We owe it to New York. We are all here because of that, and we are where we are because of New York City,” he expressed with heartfelt gratitude.
As “Asian Persuasion” embarks on its festival circuit journey, audiences are in for a treat. The film is set to premiere in the Philippines, with a touring premiere scheduled for November across Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Clark in Pampanga. Following its New York debut, the film will enchant audiences at the Richmond International Film Festival in Richmond, Virginia, and San Diego in the coming month. n
