JASMINE Curtis-Smith is set to take on the lead role in the international independent romantic-comedy film “We Could Be in Love,” directed by Filipina filmmaker Marie Jamora.
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, Oct. 5, production on the film has begun, with principal photography scheduled to take place in New York and Manila in November.
Curtis-Smith will play Jasmine Aquino, a working-class Filipina-American woman who falls in love with the wealthy heir to a Chinese-Filipino dynasty, Ambrose Lee, played by Filipino Malaysian actor Yao.
Their relationship would be tested by differences in social class as well as prejudices within their respective communities.
The film also stars Jamie Chung, Lou Diamond Phillips, Tamlyn Tomita and Airline Inthyrath, better known as drag performer Jujubee of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
No release date or distributor for “We Could Be in Love” has been announced as of this writing.
Jamora, who grew up in Manila, directs the film from a screenplay by Terence Chen, whose credits include “Meet Cute in Manhattan.”
The director said the film gives her an opportunity to make an Asian-led romantic comedy outside the traditional American studio system.
Curtis-Smith is known for her work in “Transit,” “Baka Bukas,” “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” “Siargao,” and “Open Endings.”
The Filipino-Australian actress won Best Supporting Actress at the 2013 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival for “Transit” and Best Actress at the 2016 Cinema One Originals Film Festival for “Baka Bukas.”
On television, Curtis-Smith has starred in the projects “The World Between Us,” the Philippine adaptation of “Descendants of the Sun” and GMA’s “Asawa ng Asawa Ko.”
The 32-year-old actress also recently returned to theater in PETA’s physical-theater adaptation of “Endo” and joined GMA’s dance competition “Stars on the Floor.” (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
