The Debut

Filipino-American high school student Ben (Dante Basco) works in a comic book shop to earn money to pay his way into Cal Arts. His father, a postman, is determined that his son--who has won a pre-med scholarship to UCLA--will become a doctor. The eighteenth birthday party of Ben's sister, Rose, sets off a comedic and touching series of events and family struggles that will in turn determine young Ben's future. This fresh independent production from Gene Cajayon presents a lighthearted and warm coming-of-age tale filtered through the eyes of an American subculture rarely seen on film.

Country:

United States of America

Genre:

Drama

Duration:

88 minutes

Year:

2000

Director:

Gene Cajayon

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Company:

Center for Asian American Media (CAAM),

National Asian American Telecommunications Association

Cast:

Ben Mercado

Doug

Dave

Jennifer

Susie

Crew:

Director

Writer

Writer

Editor

Production Design