Jhett Tolentino, a three-time Tony Award and Grammy-winning producer, is making his directorial debut with the romantic comedy Asian Persuasion. The film has secured North American distribution and will launch sales at the upcoming American Film Market (AFM).
Scatena & Rosner Films, based in Hawaii, has acquired worldwide rights to the film. Asian Persuasion follows a lovable underachiever who devises a wild plan to avoid paying alimony to his ex-wife, a fashion executive. Scatena & Rosner Films plans to release the film in North America in Spring 2025. They will also start licensing rights for other territories during the AFM in Las Vegas from November 5 to 10.
The screenplay for Asian Persuasion was written by Mike Ang and features a talented ensemble cast, including Dante Basco from Hook, KC Concepcion from Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, Kevin Kreider from Bling Empire, and Paolo Montalban from Cinderella. The film is produced under the Jhett Tolentino Productions banner, with Tolentino and Ang serving as producers. Andrea Walter, known for her work on The Fabulous Filipino Brothers and Empty by Design, handled cinematography. Costume design was done by Sheena Alexis of Dedalus Moving Pictures, while Eunike Tanzil composed the music score.
Tolentino has an extensive background in theater, having produced 19 stage productions on and off Broadway. His notable works include Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, starring Sigourney Weaver, and A Raisin in the Sun, featuring Denzel Washington. He also produced the cast album for The Color Purple, which included performances by Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Danielle Brooks. His film credits include Life Is What You Make It (2017) and Isabel Sandoval’s Lingua Franca, which premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.
Zach Stampone, VP of distribution at Scatena & Rosner Films, expressed enthusiasm about bringing Asian Persuasion to a global audience. He stated, “The film’s clever and relatable plot, along with a talented cast and crew from 21 Asian nations, makes it a standout romantic comedy for 2025 and beyond. Director Tolentino has a unique ability to tell authentic stories that resonate with viewers.”
Scatena & Rosner Films is involved in film production, finance, distribution, sales, and product placement. The company is led by Gato Scatena and Jordan Rosner. Their current film sales lineup includes Luke Sparke’s Fight for Your Life and Patrick Gilles’ I’m Charlie Walker.
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