Private Project

Puberty for Humans (Trailer)

Puberty for Humans is perfect for your nervous health class students as they approach their inevitable cybernetic bodily changes. In this short educational video, Linus, an insecure prepubescent teenager, learns that everything will be okay... for everyone else.

In a vintage ‘60s health class style educational video, Coach Wells, a classic "All American" gym teacher, helps his students understand the changes they will undergo as they enter “Robotic Puberty.” As expected, the students have plenty of questions. “When will my actuator finally reboot? How does a male articulated manipulator work?” All of which are natural queries for those reaching adolescence. Fortunately for the students, Coach Wells can sense their bewilderment and educates them with a prepared lesson on their changing bodies.

As the video showcases how students’ cybernetic changes will affect their careers, partners and collegiate dreams, a young boy named "Late-Bloomer Linus" questions why his body has yet to change. While other kids have begun to develop vacuum legs for cleaning, robotic arms for playing football, or a Swiss army knife for a hand to perform surgery, Linus has yet to develop such parts. When will he reach puberty? What happens if he never does? Is he destined to be at the back of the pack for the rest of his life?

  • Wester Demandante
    Director
    Kaaway
  • Wester Demandante
    Writer
    Kaaway
  • Justin Ricafort
    Producer
    ETA, Sinigang
  • Zach Zahorik
    Producer
    Sinigang
  • David Scott Greene
    Key Cast
    "Coach Wells"
  • Chris Pavon
    Key Cast
    "Linus"
  • Project Type:
    Other
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Comedy, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 26, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    23,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Wester Demandante

As a second generation Filipino-American, Wester felt that infamous pressure that all Filipinos feel from their parents. "Be a filmmaker." So began the inevitable quest. He made films in high school, avoided the treacherous pits of film school (too expensive!), and worked any PA job he could find. The expedition proved costly for him, but shaped the vision needed to build worlds of his own.

His last project before Puberty for Humans was entitled Kaaway (Enemy). It made its way around several festivals from 2019-2020, including the 42nd New York Asian American International Film Festival, the San Diego Asian Film Festival, and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The fear of being left behind has been a recurring theme throughout the development of this project. Not only is a character in the film dealing with this worry, but so are the creatives on the other side of the camera.

My connection to the character of "Late-Bloomer Linus" grew stronger when I began to frame his anxiety as a fear of being left behind. And I think doing so has made the feeling more tangible and more universal. For me currently, that fear is prominent in my filmmaking career and Puberty for Humans has consequently become a somewhat frantic attempt to catch up, or at the very least get me to the starting line.