Anne Curtis-Smith has confirmed that the Just A Stranger press tour will be coming to Dubai and Abu Dhabi this September, and a trip to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque could be on the cards.
The Filipina-Australian actress, 34, replied to a fan on Twitter, who had screen-grabbed an Instagram post that read, "Dubai is ready for [Just A Stranger]. We'll see you on September 6, Mae," in reference to Curtis-Smith's character in the movie. The fan added: "Please do a special screening in Abu Dhabi also, and let's get some chai after visiting the Grand Mosque."
Curtis-Smith replied, writing, "Yes! I’m doing both Dubai and Abu Dhabi," much to the joy of her fans in the region.
Hello! Yes! I’m doing both Dubai and Abu Dhabi! https://t.co/MaHFTX0DZJ
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) August 22, 2019
The film is set to be released in the UAE on Thursday September 5, and there will be movie meet and greets at Dubai's Reel Cinemas Al Ghurair Centre at 2pm and 3pm on Friday September 6. Abu Dhabi meet and greets have not yet been confirmed.
Just A Stranger is Tagalog movie, starring Curtis-Smith opposite Marco Gumabao and Edu Manzano. It tells the story of married woman, Mae, who has an affair with 19-year-old Jericho (Gumabao), who is half her age.
"She spends life hopping from one town to another, staying alone in lavish hotels and resorts to explore the surrounding villages, collecting photos and videos of things that pique her interest – heritage buildings, local artefacts and cultural events," the synopsis reads.
"A young man would have piqued her interest as well, if only for his gorgeousness and brooding persona. He is Jericho, or Jekjek. He's not exactly the approachable type, but the combination of ennui, youth and physical attractiveness makes Jekjek stand out in her eyes."
In an interview, ABS-CBN host Karen Davila asked Curtis-Smith if she thought fans in the Philippines were ready to see their "sweetheart" portray a married woman who has an affair. "We'll have to wait and see how they will take this role," she replied.
The actress has said that she enjoyed going "back to [her] roots" with a love story and drama. However, she has already been criticised by fans for taking the "disrespectful" role, with some claiming it is "awkward" as she is now married to food and travel influencer, Erwan Heussaff.
Heussaff has hit back at the comments and defended his wife, saying in an Instagram comment: "Last I checked, I'm the husband and I know how I feel (which is completely fine by the way, thanks for asking). So no need to throw around words like disrespect or dictate what a person should or shouldn’t do after getting married."
The pair married in 2017, having been together for seven years.
“I’ve known my wife as an actress since day one and I have the utmost admiration for what she does. End of story. I don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable when watching these movies (you guys commenting make it awkward). I actually actively gave Anne inputs when I read the script on how I think the story could be developed or portrayed,” he said.
