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Erik Matti hopes words about the Philippines' official entry to the Oscars, 'On The Job: The Missing 8,' spread here and abroad: “Hopefully, The Academy could see it and eventually fall in love with it.”

“Masaya pero nakakatakot.”

This is how director Erik Matti feels about his movie titled On The Job: The Missing 8 being chosen as the Philippines' official entry in the upcoming 95th Academy Awards or the Oscars.

In a recent interview with select entertainment media, including GMANetwork.com, expressed how grateful he and his team were for this new milestone of his critically-acclaimed movie.

“We're glad that we've been chosen. I was surprised [by] how many government agencies and industry people gathered together to decide on who will be sent to the Oscars. We finally knew about the shortlisting when it was down to four titles. They sent a letter already that we're down to the four titles. Eventually, they called for the choice.”

Then, he mentioned that while this is already a great feat for the movie, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in their Oscars journey.

He explained, “We've always fielded titles in the Oscars and we've always been excited about sending titles to the Oscars. But we know how difficult it is to be even shortlisted amongst all the countries. The last time I read, it was already 70 countries that are already participating.

"So, imagine 70 of those films vying for the attention of The Academy and you just hope that The Academy members would somehow get wind of your film and watch it entirely and decide, 'Yeah, I think this has merit over Korea, over Hong Kong, over Columbia or over Chile.

“There's just too many films to contend with and all of those are, of course, the pride and glory of each of those countries and are as exciting and of value as all of the others. Parang everyone is expecting na 'Ours is the better one,' 'Ours is telling the universal story.'

"So, nakakatakot but then, given to choices, whether to say na, 'Okay, we're not gonna make it this year again' or 'Let's try and fight it out, try and find a way to be noticed...'”

The 95th Academy Awards is scheduled to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 12, 2023.

OSCARS CAMPAIGN

To support their Oscars campaign, On The Job: The Missing 8 producers, Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde, hope to get the help of its part-owner, the American entertainment company HBO.

“With HBO, we're hoping that we can get the North American HBO to support us leading up to the judging and the viewing,” said Direk Erik.

“For the film to be noticed, to go around and get a big buzz, the spending of most of those big distribution companies is anywhere between $50 million to $80 million. It's nowhere that we can afford. Right now, we're talking to HBO, hoping that with the clout of HBO and with the support they have globally we could--not to get the $50 million to $80 million--but we could get their machinery to work on something.”

Of course, Erik and Dondon's production company, Reality MM Studios, also gets help from government agencies such as Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which gave them a PhP1 million grant.

“We have a few meetings with several people, hoping to get their support. Hopefully, we're gonna get their support, not just financially but you know," Direk Erik said.

To further drumbeat their Oscars journey, On The Job: The Missing 8 will also have a theatrical release on November 2 to 9 in local cinemas.

“We're also trying to beef up things here in the Philippines. We haven't had a theatrical release here in the Philippines. So, it's just timely that maybe we could show it in the theaters.

“The proceeds of that will be used to send the film abroad and have people see it, as many as possible, just to get the word around, and hopefully, The Academy could see it and eventually fall in love with it.”

On The Job: The Missing 8 is the sequel to the hit 2013 movie On The Job. This follows the story of a journalist (played by John Arcilla), who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his brother (played by Christopher de Leon) and their colleagues; and a prisoner (played by Dennis Trillo) who is temporarily freed to carry out assassinations.

Also included in the cast are Lotlot de Leon, Ricky Davao, William Martinez, Dante Rivero, Vandolph Quizon, Eric Fructuoso, Rayver Cruz, Soliman Cruz. Ina Feleo, Isabelle de Leon, and Andrea Brillantes.

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