Taipei-based Distribution Workshop has picked up international rights to Taiwanese-American filmmaker Arvin CHEN's latest film "Mama Boy".

The romantic drama stars Kai KO ("You Are The Apple Of My Eye") as a shy young man who finds himself attracted to a single mother, played by Vivian HSU ("Little Big Women"), at a sex hotel. Filming will start at the end of March in Taipei, with a release targeted for November this year.

The key crew include producer Aileen LI, whose credits include Taiwan's top-grossing local film in 2019, "Detention", and Asia-based DoP Jake Pollock, whose recent credits include "Spring Tide", "The Shadow Play and Soulmate".

"After working on a few varied projects in different places over the last couple years, I'm excited for this chance to make another movie in Taiwan, this time to tell a unique romance and coming-of-age story," CHEN told Screen.

"Mama Boy" is the third Taiwanese feature film for US-born CHEN. MyVideo, Cinemark, Third Man Entertainment and A Really Good Film are among the main investors.

CHEN previously directed romantic comedies "Au Revoir Taipei" (2010) and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (2013), which both premiered at Berlin film festival. In recent years, he has spent time developing film and TV projects in the US, including "The Great Banquet" and "Ellie In Wonderland".