The Debut (2000)

  • R
  • 05/18/2000 (US)
  • Drama
  • 1h 28m

One night can change a lifetime.

Overview

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.

Gene Cajayon

Director, Writer

John Manal Castro

Writer

Cast

Dante Basco's headshot

Dante Basco

Ben Mercado
Jayson Schaal's headshot

Jayson Schaal

Doug
Brian Card's headshot

Brian Card

Dave
Mindy Spence's headshot

Mindy Spence

Jennifer
Nicole Hawkyard's headshot

Nicole Hawkyard

Susie
Brandon Martinez's headshot

Brandon Martinez

Rick
Ernie Zarate's headshot

Ernie Zarate

Tito Lenny
Gina Alajar's headshot

Gina Alajar

Gina Mercado

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