Synopsis
YOU COULD’VE BEEN A NURSE begins with a family crisis: 76-year old Cely Manansala learns she has only days to live. This is not altogether surprising for Cely nor her daughter Gwen, who’s been caring for her in hospice. As Gwen and her brother Terry confront the reality of losing their mother, a new crisis surfaces—the heartbreaking mismatch between Gwen and Cely’s expectations.
Writer-Director
MEG MATEO
YOU COULD’VE BEEN A NURSE is my short directorial debut. It features a deeply personal story inspired by a true event. Writing the screenplay allowed me to investigate this time in life, to understand my relationship with my mother and the expectations we had for each other—all through the lens of dark comedy and drama. This story is also a love letter to other Gen X kids (particularly from Asian immigrant families) who are now in their sandwich generation or caregiving years.As a Filipina-American filmmaker, I strive to tell stories reflecting Asian-American everyday experiences. Our ordinariness is something to celebrate and can be the source of meaningful art; our family dramas and love stories the sites of profound discoveries.
Producers
DIANNE QUE & JAYMAR CABEBE
Dianne and Jaymar are a Filipino-American producing team with over 20 years of experience writing and producing across media to amplify the stories and experiences of Filipinx communities.
Cast
| MELANIE ANNE PADERNAL | Gwen |
| ROSE ALMARIO | Cely |
| FRANCIS LANSANG | Terry |
| MARGIE FOLEY | Dr. Cheyer |
| ROCZANE ENRIQUEZ | Ludy |
Credits
writer-director MEG MATEO
producers JAYMAR CABEBE, DIANNE QUE
director of photography MARCO BERCASIO
editor, consulting producer A.J. CALOMAY
associate producer ALYSSA AGUILOS
1st assistant director DIANNE QUE
art director NANCY CHO
makeup artist ROCZANE ENRIQUEZ
1st assistant camera ANGELITO CASAL
script supervisor JAY DULLER
production sound mixer LANCE HERUELA
gaffer JAISON CABEBE
key grip NICK HAAF
g&e swing KARLO AQUINO
bts photographers DARREN CABEBE, MILES ILASCO
production assistants KARLO AQUINO, DARREN CABEBE, ALAINA GALINDEZ, MILES ILASCO, TINA TOLENTINO-BALDRIDGE
colorist BENJAMIN KANTOR
assistant editor JOEY QUIAN
vfx artist RANDAL KAMRADT
re-recording mixer ERIK CLEMENTE
additional editor CHARLES GRAY
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© Meg Mateo and Rocketships and Wonderment, Inc. All rights reserved.