The award winning short film is expanding into a full length feature film. Originally released in 2017, the short film garnered recognition at 22 prestigious film festivals worldwide. Notably, it graced the 40th Asian American Film Festival in New York, where it was featured at the esteemed Asia Society Museum. Watch the short film/ proof of concept: "The Pleasure of Being Served" (15 minutes, PG nudity, Tagalog/English).
Wind Up Merchant Films LLC (formerly Angry Doug Films) has been formed. The feature length project will be produced under this banner. For more information about investing send us an email using the form below.
ROSA, an undocumented immigrant from the Philippines, faces the immense challenge of saving up enough money to reunite with her young son, Richard, in the United States. She toils as a domestic worker for HUDSON, a wealthy, youthful American. One peculiar aspect of her job is the intricate juggling act she performs between Hudson's two girlfriends, LYNN, a fellow Filipina, and JEN, an American, neither of whom is aware of the other's existence. These women take turns visiting Hudson on alternating weekends, and Rosa's primary responsibility is to discreetly manage the rotation of photos, toothbrushes, and laundry, depending on which girlfriend is in town.
As the plot unfolds, Rosa's life becomes increasingly complicated. She forms unexpected bonds with the two girlfriends. Jenny, an American and a single mother like herself, becomes a close confidante as they share their love for romance novels and navigate the challenges of raising children. Lynn, also a Filipina, becomes a friend with whom Rosa converses in Tagalog. Later, they discover familial connections that tie their families together in the Philippines.
Rosa's relationship with Hudson is multifaceted. His immaturity and the fact that he was raised by a Filipina nanny awaken Rosa's maternal instincts. Simultaneously, she finds solace in their conversations, oscillating between friendship and a potential deeper connection.
However, Rosa's overarching objective remains unwavering: raising enough funds to bring her son, Richard, from the Philippines to the U.S. Her quest leads her into a web of intrigue when she encounters an unsavory character who offers fake passports and social security cards. Despite her undocumented status, Rosa refrains from reporting any crimes committed against her to the authorities.
As the story unfolds, the central questions loom large. How will Rosa handle Hudson and his philandering ways? What will happen to her newfound friendships with these two women, as she grapples with her role in enabling Hudson's infidelity? Can she amass the necessary funds in time, all while staying one step ahead of immigration officials closing in on her undocumented status?
These questions form the core of a captivating narrative that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of the American dream against the backdrop of Rosa's precarious immigration status.
The screenplay offers a captivating glimpse into the Philippine diaspora in the Northern New Jersey and New York City region. The narrative predominantly unfolds in Tagalog, with English subtitles for the audience. English is reserved solely for scenes featuring Rosa's interactions with the Americans, Hudson and Lynn, providing an authentic representation of the linguistic tapestry that characterizes the immigrant experience in this locale.
ROSA
HUDSON
LISA - Rosa's roommate
LYNN
JENNY
BILLY - Rosa's boss/ lover
ELOY - the forger, opportunist
Watch the 15 minute, award winning film, the basis of the feature length project
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