Filipino icon Sharon Cuneta is set to star in and executive produce the forthcoming film adaptation of Marivi Soliven‘s award-winning novel The Mango Bride. The Filipino representation will also reflect behind the camera with Martin Edralin, who helmed the award-winning SXSW film Islands, as director and a screenplay by Rae Red (Babae at Baril)
This marks Cuneta’s first venture with global IP firm 108 Media and Los Angeles-based BOLD MP. Slated to start production later this year, The Mango Bride chronicles the intersecting lives of two Filipino women who migrate to California. Amparo, a quiet socialite born into a wealthy family, and Beverly, a wide-eyed mail-order bride, discover hidden truths as their stories meet and intertwine.
“I wanted to do The Mango Bride because it’s the best way to connect to a global audience by putting some of the best Filipino talents and stories together to tell an emotional and uplifting story like this,” said Cuneta. “I have long been a fan of Marivi Soliven’s writing, from Suddenly Stateside, her collection of light essays about living in the U.S., to The Mango Bride. She captures the Filipino migrant and Filipino American experience skilfully.”
Producing will be 108 Media’s President (Production) Justin Deimen and 108 Media’s APAC Producer Micah Tadena, who produced Eerie, the blockbuster Filipino horror on Netflix. Executive producers also include Anna Liza Recto and Michael Kaleda of BOLD MP with Ryo Ebe, 108 Media (Asia) Managing Director, 108 Media’s CEO Abhi Rastogi and Kevin Balhetchet. 108 Media will also invest in and sell the title through its financing arm geared towards international markets, with a key focus on empowering new creators with cross-cultural IPs.
