Filipino-Australian actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith is going to star in the upcoming film Empty by Design alongside Hollywood actors Osric Chau (Supernatural), fellow Filipino Dante Basco (Hook), and Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians).
What can people expect from the film? In a press conference today, the film’s writer-director, British-Filipino Andrea A. Walter said that it is not the typical rom-com many Filipinos are fond of.
Instead, she said it pays tribute to “third culture kids” like herself, as well as Chau who is Chinese-Canadian and Pang who is Australian-Taiwanese, and Curtis.
A “third culture kid” is someone who grew up in a culture different from that of his/her parents’.
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Walter shared that the movie is a Filipino version of Lost in Translation, showing a disconnect and being isolated from culture.
In a video by GMA News reporter Rie Takumi, Walter shared how when she’s in Manila, she’s considered the foreign friend, but when she’s in the United States or in England, she’s the Asian friend. “So many small things make it a bit confusing.”
Chau, who plays Keven Tran in Supernatural told the press yesterday that the movie is a passion project for the team behind it.
According to the film’s Instagram, it’s about two people finding themselves back in the Philippines after years of being away.
Chau also described the story as being about connecting with one’s roots and culture.
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The cast and crew have been in the Philippines for almost a month, with production slated to finish on Aug. 20. The film is set to be released next year.
