Hollywood actor Yuki Matsuzaki wants to do a Pinoy movie; signs up for ‘Instant Mommy’ with Eugene Domingo + Int’l action-thriller “OTJ” hits theater

Hollywood actor Yuki Matsuzaki is doing his first Filipino movie in Instant Mommy where he plays opposite award-winning actress Eugene Domingo. After he accepted the offer to portray the role of Kaoru in Leo Abaya film, he got himself a DVD copy of Babae sa Septic Tank and watched the film seven times.

Yuki was very impressed of Uge’s performance in the film. “It was a very good performance,” he said of Uge’s acting, adding that Uge was very funny in the film.

Yuki said he had very pleasant experience with the Filipina actress. And added that he  did the right thing in accepting Instant Mommy despite the reluctance of his manager.

He had been acting in Hollywood for 13 years. His film credits include The Last Samurai, The Pink Panther 2, Letters From Iwo Jima and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Yuki said he didn’t have second thoughts about applying for the role of Kaoru in Instant Mommy. He was the final choice from among those who applied for the role. He was also the choice of Uge.

What attracted him  to the project is that he will doing a Filipino film. He wanted to experience doing a Filipino movie although this is not his first time to visit the Philippines. He said he first came to the country when he was 14 years old.

“I really wanted to play a role in an Asian film so when this project came I applied for it. I even had to convince my manager so that I would be able to do this film. I wrote to Chris Martinez saying I want to play the role and I’d convince my manager to allow me to do it,”said Yuki.

He explained that his manager’s reluctance had something to do with the talent fee. The ten days of work he did in the Philippines was equal to a day’s work in Hollywood. But Yuki was able to convince his manager that he wants to do it.

“When they offered me finally, I just said to my manager, ‘I’m gonna do the role. Don’t say anything. Don’t even try to negotiate with them. I just want to do this.’”

He was likewise impressed by his other co-actors in Instant Mommy, which is the directorial debut of Leo Abaya who is a multi-awarded production designer. He praised their professionalism and likened the atmosphere on the set of Instant Mommy to what he has experienced working in Hollywood.

Yuki is not closing his doors in the possibility of doing another Filipino movie. Yuki is in town for the promo of Instant Mommy that will open on theaters today, August 28.

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Director Erik Matti had been wanting to do the film “OJT” four years ago and he did approach Star Cinema if the film arm of broadcast network ABS-CBN would be interested to produce the project. But Star Cinema was not ready yet. So Direk Erik told himself he will just probably do the film on his own, as a small film, no longer with Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson as his lead stars.

Eventually, Direk Erik found a co-producer in Reality Entertainment. Sometime later, Star Cinema contacted him again and reminded him of the script that he presented to them – this was OJT. Three days later, Star Cinema told him they are interested to do the film.

There are four lead actors in the film – Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez and Piolo Pascual. But it was Joel who won Best Actor at the 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Fest in South Korea. And film also won the Jury’s Prize.

Based on the trailer, some people tended to believe that “OTJ” is somewhat like a film with a social statement, that seems to be political. But Direk Erik Matti said it isn’t so.

“I never made films to be political or relevant. I just pick on human characters that I want to explore. In this film, I am interested in the story of the two hit men. How can it be that criminals inside the prison are taken out and are being used as hit men? So when the police starts looking for a suspect, they can’t find any because they have been returned in jail,” said Direk Erik.

“When they go out of prison to kill somebody, do they have the time to visit their families? Will they tell their families that they are hired killers?

On the other side, there’s the story of the two law enforcers, Joey Marquez (the cop) and Piolo Pascual (the NBI agent). “What if the NBI agent has a problem with his father-in-law and this affects the case that he is handling”, Direk Erik shares.

“I believe with “OJT” have an interesting story. I did not do this film as an expose. There is no political statement or social statement. I think everyone who is going to see it will recognize the characters na parang may kakikilala silang ganito pero there is no specific person na pinapatungkulan or is being pinpointed, feeling ko naman pag napanood nila, sasabihin ng audience “ay hindi totoo iyan.”

Direk Erik Matti said he wants “OTJ” to make money at the box-office. He has mainstream mentality and he considers “OTJ” a mainstream movie. He said he was born during the time in local movies when if a movie doesn’t make money, it drives the director to depression.

“It is only now in the advent of new wave cinema that they (filmmakers) say it is okay if only three people would watch their movie as long as they are able to make the movie that they want. With me, I want my movie to make money. If I do a movie, I want people to watch it and I expect that the people will enjoy the movie that I made,” he said.

Direk Erik believes that they have a winner in “OTJ.” Local films haven’t seen an action film in a long time. And he thinks the all-star cast he has in “OJT” will be a plus factor for the people to come and watch the movie.

“We haven’t done an action film in a long time. We have an all star cast because we wanted the moviegoers to have the feel of an action film and the excitement. They will really see great performances in the film. We are happy to distribute the film with Star Cinema because it gives it a lot of legs. Star Cinema has the machinery to distribute it, sell it and market the film. Also we are banking that the idea that action film that we have cuts across not just on the male audience. The movie is an action thriller. We have a really good story. We are banking on the strength of word of mouth because we believe we have a very creative and memorable story” he said.

Also part of “OTJ” are Rayver Cruz, Joey Marquez, Shaina Magdayao, Angel Aquino and Empress.

The internationally-acclaimed action-thriller “OTJ,” opens today in cinemas nationwide.