Photos by Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio Photography and Netflix
JUST a day after it was officially released globally on July 15 on Netflix, the world’s leading streaming platform, "My Amanda" immediately climbed to the second spot of the top 10 shows most-viewed by Filipino users.
With the film’s good reviews scattered online, fans are certain that this Netflix exclusive content will be hitting the top spot for weeks.
My Amanda, which marks the directorial debut of Alessandra de Rossi, highlights the beauty of platonic friendship between TJ and Amanda, with pet names “Fuffy” and “Fream,” respectively, as they go through the motions of their relationship as long-time best friends while dealing with their own complicated relationships.
In a virtual press engagement days before the premiere, Alessandra shared the story is inspired by her own relationships with guy friends in real life.
“This story is very personal to me because it's about my friendships. I wanted to share a different kind of love story. It’s a friendship that's intimate and not superficial, rare and sincere. That's what I wanted to talk about because all Pinoys are fans of romcoms and this one's different,” she said.
The renowned film and TV actress also shared that when she presented the script to her director friends years back no one wanted to handle it.
“No one wanted to touch it, they found it a little unbelievable. So, I decided to direct it myself,” she shared, adding the film was made possible by her friends and family who are producers and film professionals.
But playing as the director, writer, and main actress is, as Alessandra puts it, draining.
“It’s draining! I thought it was going to be that easy, being an actor, a director, and a writer. I have to check the preview after we take the scenes, because I can’t see myself on the screen while acting at the same time, that’s impossible,” she shared.
Alessandra even shared that she was rushed to the hospital after they did the film. She said it’s probably the stress she chose to endure while meeting the demands of finishing the film.
“It’s really challenging doing it (acting, directing, writing) at the same time,” she said. But seeing the end product, she said, it’s fulfilling and worth it.
When asked if she’s ready to direct, write, and act at the same time for another film project, Alessandra said she would like to explore and experience more on directing.
Piolo, for his part, shared it was easy to work with Alessandra both as a co-star and director.
“It was easy being directed by Alessandra because she knew her material. She knew her script. She knew what she wanted. She knew her shots. I didn't have to think about Alessandra as an actress because I knew she could take it on. I knew she could handle it. I knew she could wing it no matter what. I just believed in the script, I just believed in the project and I just went along with her, and I just had fun,” Piolo, who co-produced the film, said.
Piolo and Alessandra are happy to share their project to a global audience after almost three years.
“It's a mixture of excitement and embarrassment," Alessandra said. "I mean, of course, it's your baby. You're going to put it out in the world and it's going to have a life of its own. No matter how people interpret it, that's their own take. It's out of my hands now," she explained.
My Amanda, which also features Luz Valdez, KC Montero, and Helga Krapf, is exclusively streaming globally on Netflix starting July 15.