Director Raya Martin is set to make his feature filmmaking comeback with “Obosen,” a folkloric horror thriller being developed at Philippines-based independent studio Rein Entertainment and headed to Cannes Film Festival’s Producer’s Network.
“Obosen” follows a policewoman investigating disappearances in a remote Philippine town who enters a forest where local mythology, political dynasties, and a film shoot collapse into another reality. Frequent collaborator Arleen Cuevas will produce, and has brought the project to Cannes as part of the Producer’s Network Filipino delegation, sponsored by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
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Martin is the first Filipino director to have two films selected at Cannes in the same year – “Independencia” and “Manila,” both in 2009. His work has also screened at Berlinale, Locarno, and Busan.
“Raya has always been one of the boldest and most respected Filipino filmmakers of his generation. What makes this partnership exciting is not just his return to feature filmmaking through ‘Obosen,’ but the opportunity to create a film that carries both artistic ambition and emotional power. We believe ‘Obosen’ has the potential to become a defining project both for Rein and for contemporary Filipino cinema,” said Shugo Praico, Rein’s head of creatives.
Rein is also bringing on filmmaker-producer Quark Henares as a partner. Henares returns to the Philippines after several years in Singapore, having most recently served as head of originals, Philippines for Amazon MGM Studios and previously overseeing Globe Telecom’s studio businesses, including Globe Studios and Anima. His producing credits include “Leonor Will Never Die,” “Fan Girl,” and “On the Job: The Missing 8” – titles recognised at Sundance, the International Emmy Awards, and Venice. In his new role, he will contribute to development and packaging, strategic partnerships, financing, and the positioning of projects across local and international markets.
“Rein has always aimed to build a company that bridges strong creative vision with global ambition. Bringing Quark in as a partner is a major step toward that direction. His continued involvement across different sectors of the industry only strengthens Rein’s position as we continue to expand and build projects for both local and global audiences,” said Lino Cayetano, Rein’s president and CEO.
Founded by Cayetano, Praico, and Philip King, Rein Entertainment’s slate includes “Bagman,” “BetCin,” “Nanahimik Ang Gabi,” and “Salvageland,” as well as the forthcoming limited series “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence,” produced in collaboration with KC Global Media.
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