On The Job blurs the line between the reel and the real

The Erik Matti masterpiece On The Job (OTJ) is simply gripping. It touches on a universal theme about finding the truth in “perplexing” crimes, and the dichotomous interplay between the powerful and the powerless.

Whether played on the big screen or small screen, the crime thriller, a product of creativity and imagination, carries a glimpse of reality, reflected on its dramatis personae and their milieu. OTJ also reminds viewers how a creative work can blur the line between the reel and the real.

Director Erik Matti gives actors the freedom to interpret their roles and enjoy creative collaboration on set.

The six-part HBO Asia Original Series, On The Job, promises all that when it premieres tomorrow, Sept. 12 on HBO GO. New episodes will be aired Saturdays.

“You would see hints of actual things that happened in the Philippines,” said director Erik in a recent virtual media call. “Of course, iniba-iba namin in the context of the story and fiction. Pero I think yun yong exciting because certain parts of the film become really true to us when we watch it and hindi mo na alam if you’re watching a make-believe story or if you’re really watching a real life. Yon excited ako na makita ninyo (That’s something I’m excited for everyone to see).”

Thrown into separate but related events are the characters Sisoy, Roman and Weng, played by John Arcilla, Dennis Trillo and Lotlot de Leon, respectively.

“He represents the powerless,” said Dennis, who attended the 78th Venice International Film Festival, along with direk Erik, for the world premiere of On The Job: The Missing 8, about his fall guy-prisoner character. “Pinaglalaban naman niya yung freedom niya… nakulong siya dahil sa isang krimen (He’s fighting for his freedom and gets jailed for a crime). And after that, he is hoping that he’ll leave (the place and be free).”

Given his plight and “profession,” Dennis’ Roman gets a taste of what it is like to be free again as a hired killer. “While inside the jail, he is deployed (and gets employed) to do a mission,” the actor said. “Makikita mo yung pagka-human nung (mga) characters, yung mga errors nila sa buhay na talagang kahit na akala mo na magaling siya, pero makikita mo yung mga kapalpakan din nila.” Since Roman and other characters project that sense of familiarity, Dennis said the viewers can relate to them, and if one may add, understand their context.

Lotlot de Leon’s editor Weng and John Arcilla’s journalist Sisoy are on a mission to expose the truth. Lotlot says, ‘I think (my character will) impart how hard it is to be courageous. (She) will never raise the white fl ag.’ John, on his part, shares, ‘I already know a lot of Sisoy in different names. I can defi nitely relate to that (role)… Dun ko kinuha yung aking inspiration.’

As for Lotlot, the actress had the chance to step into the role of an editor-journalist with the mission to tell the truth.

“I think Weng (will be) able to impart how hard it is to be courageous,” said Lotlot of her character, “especially when you’re in front of (personalities) na alam mo na hindi mo basta, basta pwedeng banggain (people you could not easily challenge or question). I think she’ll also be able to show her frustrations like kung hanggang saan ba kaya ng media or ng journalists na makipaglaban para sa totoo (up to what extent media or journalists can fight for truth). Usually, their lives are on the line. Sometimes they also question their principles, gagawin ba natin kung ano yung tama, kahit mahirap o gagawin natin yung madali na lang, para wala na tayong problema or hindi naman tayo malagay sa alanganin.”

With that, Lotlot admires Weng, who, according to the former, “(will) never raise the white flag… (my character’s mindset is like) Gusto ko yung totoo, gustong kong sabihin nyo. Magtapat kayo, ano ba ang gagawin natin para maitama ang lahat ng mali. She’s on the frontline but at the same time, makikita mo na may konting nerbiyos din.”

As the way John sees the situation in which the OTJ narrative revolves around, he said, “(It’s) not unique to the global community… We have the same situations in other countries when it comes to this crime, iba-iba lang ng sophistication, iba-iba lang ng grip na ginagawa ng mga instigators.”

Playing a seasoned journalist and staunch supporter of the government, the actor had an idea on how to approach his role. “I already know a lot of Sisoy in different names,” said he. “I can definitely relate to that (role) as a Filipino. I don’t need to act anymore. I will just put the truth that is happening in my country. And this is how it has happened, and it is happening. Dun ko kinuha yung aking inspiration.”

Also in the cast are veteran actors Dante Rivero and Christopher de Leon, as Mayor Pedring Eusebio and newspaper owner-publisher Arnel Pangan.

Based on the production notes, Dante’s Pedring is described as a “political tactician, who knows how and when to play his cards,” while Christopher’s Arnel as someone who feels that “his paper is being unjustly bullied by powerful politicians because of his political views.”

Although the issues are again universal and can be explored through another lens by other directors elsewhere, direk Erik’s approach will make them refreshing, said John. Viewers may find it brave and bold.

“John Arcilla came to mind because of his big personality, his charm,” said the director for casting the actor. The challenge in tapping Dennis, on the other hand, was “yung mukha niya sobrang gwapo sa loob ng kulungan,” shared Erik. “We came up with this idea na basagin yung ilong (nung character, to break the nose) and you know what it does, makeup, especially with a special makeup like that, it even brings out yung pagkatotoo ni Dennis sa eksena. You’re not looking at a popular actor, when he’s doing the scenes. He is such a revelation in the (series), ang endearing niya kahit killer siya. Hindi ko ma-explain nang maayos, you need to watch (it), kawawa, na ang lakas ng maka-in love ka sa kanya as a character.” Dennis, who wore prosthetics as Roman, was game to deglamorize himself for the part.

According to Erik, Lotlot’s Weng was inspired by journalist Chiara Zambrano. “We used Chiara for some research while writing the script,” he said. “When I met her, parang kitang, kita ko si Lotlot in her. I just told Lotlot to maybe look at some videos of Chiara Zambrano.”

Lotlot did follow direk Erik’s instruction to build her character from ground up.

A scene from the crime thriller that carries a glimpse of reality, refl ected on its dramatis personae and their milieu.

“I watched (Chiara) and searched her on YouTube,” said she. “I watched how she moved and how she asked questions, kasi parang hindi siya natatakot, napaka-tapang niya. Talagang kudos to all journalists for being so brave and courageous, especially sa mga oras na kailangang, kailangan.”

“Costuming, for most of the characters, in the film, brings a lot to them as actors,” shared Erik. “Sisoy, medyo flashy yung mga damit. Si Weng, ang costuming medyo functional lang (and) on the go. Si Dennis, ang naisip ko lang kay Dennis was to give him a nice pair of shoes from ukay.” The actors did get a feel of their characters.

Following John’s train of thought, actors on the set of an Erik Matti movie have the freedom to interpret their roles and enjoy the creative collaboration. That kind of environment is conducive for actors to push themselves and discover some magical moment.

“You will always be on your toes,” said John. “Hindi siya nakakapagod. In a sense, nakaka-excite siyang gawin. All your resources as an actor gumagana (you’re using all your resources).”

Having done four projects with direk Erik, John could also attest to this truth: “There’s always something new, something fresh (to experience). I’m just so happy working with him.”

Followers of On The Job are happy, too, that the gripping tale direk Erik started in 2013 continues. They look forward to the new characters and the latter’s adventures.

(Access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable or at www.hbogoasia.ph.)