All mothers, those who want to become mothers, and those who choose to be mothers.
This, according to film director Randolph Longjas, is the target market of his new movie “Mujigae.”
The project marks his comeback to full-length filmmaking after “Star na si Van Damme Stallone” in 2016.
“It’s been a while since I made a full-length film, and to be honest, I’m overwhelmed with emotions. This project means a lot to me,” Longjas shared.
He also expressed deep gratitude for the “Mujigae” team, saying, “Together, we moved mountains to bring this story to life and saw the ‘Mujigae’ (rainbow) at the end of it.”
On creating a safe and playful set, especially for the film’s young cast, he added, “I didn’t just dictate what I wanted. I encouraged them to own their characters, and it amazed me how they stayed in character even after scenes wrapped.”
He hopes the audience will connect emotionally with the film, but he made clear: It depends on where they stand on having kids.
“I’m not here to tell you when to laugh or cry, but I promise there will be moments that resonate deeply.”
“Mujigae,” a Filipino-made family drama with a Korean touch, follows the story of vibrant five-year-old Mujigae, portrayed by rising child star Ryrie Sophia, who finds an unlikely mother figure in her estranged aunt, Sunny, played by actress Alexa Ilacad, following her mother’s passing.
As they navigate this unexpected journey, they confront grief, unravel cultural complexities, and discover the transformative power of family and community.
Their growing bond is put to the test when Mujigae’s biological father, Ji Sung Park (played by Kim Ji-soo), enters the picture, sparking a series of events that will challenge the definition of family and force Mujigae to choose between two homes.
Film producer Madonna Tarrayo, brings her own personal reflections on family to the project.
Coming from a closely-knit family, Tarrayo shared that the film’s message about finding family in unexpected places resonates deeply with her.
“While I come from a family that loves and accepts each other despite our flaws, I’ve also accepted that not all families are created equal. Family can come from anywhere — friends, co-workers, even pets. That’s what Mujigae means to me,” Tarrayo said.
“Mujigae” is to hit theaters October 9.
