When the film "Your Mother's Son," produced under the banner of IdeaFirst Company, was initially presented to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board for rating, it ignited a storm of controversy. The movie was slapped with an X rating, a classification deemed unsuitable for public viewing, sparking a heated debate about its content and themes.

However, after reassessment, the film' Your Mother's Son' has significantly transformed. It has shed its X rating and has now been granted an R-18 rating, making it accessible to a mature audience. This change in rating promises a unique and intellectually stimulating viewing experience for those aged 18 and above.

"Your Mother's Son," directed by Jun Robles Lana, has been chosen as the opening film for 'EnlighTEN: The IdeaFirst Film Festival' at the Gateway Cineplex 18 on April 12-14.

During a recent media conference for the movie's screening in Quezon City, Jun said he was surprised "Your Mother's Son" got an X rating.

"Before namin siya i-submit for viewing, there was a foreign film that I saw on the big screen Sabi ko, mas maraming ipinakita ito kesa sa Your Mother's Son. So kung R-16 yun, baka kami may chance kasi wala namang pinapakita talaga. It's all in your mind. 

"Ang pinaka-daring lang naman sa movie is when the mother has breast exposure. But that was natural between the mother and the son. They were inside the bedroom and not doing it publicly—nothing monstrous about it, and it's a private thing. Given that sabi ko siguro R-18 tayo. 

"It was a surprise when it got an X. Kung papanoorin mo siya at conservative ka, you will be shocked," said Jun.

Shot at the height of the pandemic in 2021, "Your Mother's Son" tells the story of a hard-working mother and her son, whose relationship is challenged when she invites one of her students to their home.

"I want to do something that you cannot take your eyes off it. My point was that at the height of the pandemic when the killings were also happening, we were locked in our houses, wala tayong mapuntahan. I wanted that feeling. That was my goal or vision as a storyteller—to tell the truth as I perceived it," said Jun.

"Your Mother's Son" stars Sue Prado, Kokoy De Santos, Elora Espano and Miggy Jimenez. They recalled the first time the project was offered to them.

"Wala naman ako naging problema having worked with Jun a couple of years already in several projects. Klaro kasi yung communication namin eh. It has always felt like a collaboration. Never kong naramdaman na actor lang ako. Yun ang masarap kasi you build it together. 

"Pinagkakatiwalaan ka rin na isama doon sa pagmount ng buong process. Hindi lang naman ako kundi kaming lahat. Yung mga eksena, we mounted it together. In terms of collaboration it was always successful thankfully. 

"When it comes to artistic processes, magkasundo talaga kami. Kung paano ko tinanggap? Hindi na nagkaroon ng tanong kahit minsan. It was more of thank you at naisip niya na kaya kong gawin ito. 

"Yun ang immediate na naramdaman ko especially after having read the script a couple of times. I'm privileged and honored. Sana tignan nila ang merit ng pelikulang ito," said Sue, who was also seen in the movies "Dagsin" and "Aurora."

Kokoy, a mainstay in the GMA Network gag show Bubble Gang, said he was on a high while doing the project.

"Na-excite ako noong nalaman kong gagawin ko itong project na ito. This is my first full length movie with IdeaFirst pero nakatrabaho ko na si direk sa 'Die Beautiful.' Parang naglalaro lang ako sa set kasi pamilya ang tingin ko sa kanila. Noong ginagawa ko ito para akong nasa alapaap," Kokoy said.

Miggy admitted he was overwhelmed the first time he saw the steamy movie on the big screen.

"I guess ito ang project na nagpatapang sa akin as an actor and how I should manage every project bago ko tanggapin. Awakening ang project na ito sa akin kasi ito ang nagsabi na marami pa pala akong pwedeng gawin. So you just have to jump and I'm really grateful for this project," said Miggy, who rose to fame via "Gameboys: The Movie" in 2021.

Elora said: "Kilala ko na si Direk Jun and how he works. Gusto ko rin ang topic ng movie that tackles something socio-political. It's also my way of revolting something about something."

"Your Mother's Son" had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. This is Jun's second appearance at the same prestigious film festival. In 2012, Jun took the movie "Bwakaw" to the festival. It's the story of an elderly gay man who takes in a stray dog.

"I’ve been asked many times if I’m willing to explore stories with lighter themes, but I make movies primarily for the Filipino audience, and even if some of my films get into international film festivals, that was never really the point.

"I wouldn’t say that I make political films, but I make films that reflect the Filipino experience. It just so happens that we’re still a developing country, and these are our concerns right now. I feel that as storytellers, we have a responsibility to reflect on what’s happening to us on the big screen and hopefully start a conversation," said Jun, in another interview for deadline.com in 2023.

Jun's many directorial credits include Bwakaw (12), Barber’s Tales (13), Shadow Behind the Moon (15), Die Beautiful (16), Kalel, 15 (19), Big Night! (21) and About Us But Not About Us (22).

"Your Mother's Son" was a movie script Jun and his friend Elmer Gatchalian wrote in their younger years. However, the project was only completed during the pandemic.

"I want to make a horror film. Basically, horror film yung nasa isip ko but grounded in reality. So in terms of tone, pacing, and music, in my mind, while I was making it, even the lighting, naisip ko na parang horror itong ginagawa ko. It's the horror that's happening to us," Jun added.

EnlighTen Film Festival

Film producer Perci Intalan said the IdeaFirst Company will celebrate a decade of bringing extraordinary stories to light through the film festival.

"The EnlighTEN Film Festival will showcase some of The IdeaFirst Company’s most thought-provoking, multi-awarded, and internationally-recognized films," Perci said.

"The EnlighTEN Film Festival will showcase some of The IdeaFirst Company’s most thought-provoking, multi-awarded, and internationally-recognized films," Perci said.

As part of the festival's rich program, attendees can look forward to engaging in 'Behind the Idea' Q&A sessions, enlightening Jun Robles Lana Masterclasses, and stimulating Directors and Writers Roundtable Discussions. These offerings are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the creative process behind the films.