New Filipino Thriller “Obosen” Heads to Cannes

A fresh horror film called “Obosen” is getting ready for its first big test at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie, directed by Raya Martin, will be produced by the Philippine studio Rein Entertainment. In “Obosen, ” a police officer looks into strange vanishings in a small town. Her investigation takes her deep into a forest where myths, family politics and even a film crew collide with an alternate reality. Raya Martin is known for his daring movies. He was the first Filipino filmmaker to have two films—“Independencia” and “Manila”—shown at Cannes in the same year. His previous work has also appeared at Berlin, Locarno and Busan festivals. This new project is his return to full‑length features after a break.

Rein Entertainment, led by creative head Shugo Praico and CEO Lino Cayetano, is pushing the film’s artistic reach. Praico says that “Obosen” has both strong emotional depth and ambitious visuals, making it a key project for the studio and for modern Filipino cinema. The company is also bringing in Quark Henares, a producer with experience at Amazon MGM Studios and Globe Telecom. Henares will help shape the film’s development, secure funding, and find international partners. The team plans to showcase “Obosen” in the Producer’s Network section of Cannes, which is part of a Filipino delegation sponsored by the Film Development Council. The film also joins other Rein titles such as “Bagman, ” “BetCin, ” and the upcoming series “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence. ” With a mix of local folklore, political intrigue and supernatural twists, “Obosen” aims to stand out on the world stage. Its journey from a Philippine town to an international audience highlights how Filipino filmmakers are making bold moves into global markets.

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