Elena 1944

Upcoming war drama film directed by Olivia M. Lamasan

Patrick Valencia
Enrico C. Santos

Screenplay byPatrick ValenciaStarringKathryn Bernardo

Production
companies

Black Sheep Productions
Anima Studios

CountryPhilippinesLanguageFilipino

Elena 1944 is an upcoming Philippine historical drama film directed by Olivia M. Lamasan from an award-winning screenplay by Patrick Valencia, with Enrico C. Santos as the co-writer. Starring Kathryn Bernardo, it revolves around a young Filipina woman who became a sex slave for the Imperial Japanese Army during the Japanese occupation.

Produced by Black Sheep Productions and Anima Studios, the film is under development and its release date is yet to be announced.^[1]

Cast

Kathryn Bernardo as Elena

Production

Casting

In March 2023, Kathryn Bernardo, one of ABS-CBN's top stars, finally accepted the role of a comfort woman, citing that she wanted to star in a film about feminism and women empowerment, which they pitched the story to her before the COVID-19 pandemic.^[1] Elena 1944 served as the reunion project of Bernardo with ABS-CBN's resident film and television director, Olivia M. Lamasan, whom they last worked together in Barcelona: A Love Untold seven years prior.^[2]^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Mallorca, Hannah (27 March 2023). "Birthday girl Kathryn Bernardo bares next film projects with Dolly de Leon, Olivia Lamasan". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^ Cabral, Katrina Maisie (5 December 2023). "Kathryn Bernardo Is Set to Play a Comfort Woman in "Elena 1944"". Preview. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^ Abad, Ysa (28 March 2023). "Kathryn Bernardo to star in 3 films, including one with Dolly de Leon". Rappler. Retrieved 25 May 2024.