Based on an actual scandal involving government officials, gangsters, and prison wardens, well-renowned Filipino Filmmaker Erik Matti’s thriller, “On the Job” has received great acclaim in the recently culminated Cannes Film Festival.
The film was even included in this year’s Director’s Fortnight. “On the Job” is one of three Filipino movies that were showcased in the much anticipated international film festival. Lav Diaz’s “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” (Norte, The End of History) and Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Death March” were showcased as entries to the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes.
The film, which was produced by Reality Entertainment (Matti’s own venture) and Star Cinema is headlined by mainstream actors and indie favorites. Moviegoers can expect Filipino stars such as Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, Joel Torre, Shaina Magdayao, Angel Aquino, and Vivian Velez, who populate the gritty universe created by Matti.
Set in Manila, “On the Job” tackles issues such as corruption and is a character study—not a typical action thriller, according to Matti.
Being well-received in Cannes created more opportunities for film, as it nabbed deals with France’s Wild Side (DVD/Blu-Ray Publishers) and Wellgo USA Entertainment. The French and American distribution deals combined is estimated at PHP 12 million (USD $280,572). This, according to Matti, is the biggest distribution deal landed by a Filipino movie as of late. He adds that it is an exciting time for Philippine Cinema and that commercial flicks, given the right support, could make it internationally.
While screening dates and cinemas have yet to be finalized for the movie’s US release, the deal with Wellgo USA also includes DVD, Blu-Ray, and video on demand releases.
Check out the trailer here:
Photo credits: SoundOnSight.org, Esquire.ph, and TwitchFilm.com
