We’re celebrating Pride early with Cinemalaya’s upcoming queer film Open Endings. Jasmine Curtis-Smith just shared the exciting news on X (formerly Twitter), along with her co-stars: Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, and OPM singer Leanne Mamonong.
A subtle and comical nod to the small queer circle, the story follows four women—exes turned best friends. Their friendship is tested when one makes a life-changing decision that uncovers secrets, resurfaces old feelings, and prompts confessions.
Aside from their personal ties with queer culture, here’s why these four women are the ideal cast for this film.
Janella Salvador
After her popular tandem with Darna co-star Jane de Leon, she has been advocating for a sapphic project ever since. Salvador has long been a passionate supporter of the sapphic community, even so far as dedicating her “Hey You” music video to young sapphic love. In a MEGA Digital exclusive, she further expressed this by transforming into sapphic figures like Evelyn Hugo from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Héloïse from Portrait of a Lady on Fire.. To finally see her star in a sapphic film is not only a win for the community, it’s a personal dream come true for the actress.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Carissa Cielo Medved on the Beauty of Womanhood with Janella Salvador
Jasmine Curtis-Smith
In 2016, Curtis-Smith starred in Samantha Lee’s Baka Bukas. Her performance led to her Best Actress award in the Cinema One Originals Film Festival. Having experience in a sapphic film, it would be exciting to see her again with three other women—and perhaps even add another award to her collection.
Klea Pineda
While Open Endings will be Pineda’s first major film project, it’s important to have an openly lesbian actress in a leading film role. No doubt, the actress will be drawing on her own experiences, and audiences are sure to be moved by her story.
Leanne Mamonong
Another out and proud personality, Mamonong advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility on her social media platforms and in her music. In casting an OPM musician for the film, we might even expect heartfelt musical moments from her. Much like Pineda, this would be the musician’s acting debut.
@leeleeanne Getting ready queer 🌈 #fyp #pride #pridemonth ♬ original sound – Leanne – barb.
With such an incredible cast that align with queer matters, Open Ending is not only a win for the queer community, but also for local queer cinema. Pride may be a month away, but this film is already giving us something to celebrate.
Featured Image and Photos: JASMINE CURTIS-SMITH (via X and Instagram), KLEA PINEDA (via Instagram)
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