Asian Pop-Up Cinema: Crosspoint - Philippines, Japan

The Philippines, Japan | Thriller | 2024 | 100 minutes

In Filipino, Japanese and English w/ English Subtitles

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: DONIE ORDIALES

CAST: CARLO AQUINO, TAKEHIRO HIRA, SHO IKUSHIMA, KEI KUROSAWA, SARAH JANE ABAD

FILM SOURCE: FIRE AND ICE MEDIA

INTRO and Q&A with director Donie Ordiales

SYNOPSIS:

Manuel is a washed-up Filipino actor trying to make a living in Japan to support his family. Meanwhile, Shigeru is a construction manager who recently declared bankruptcy. When they catch a news report about a serial killer at large whom Manuel recognizes, they give chase for the reward money.

Two ordinary men are driven to extremes to stay afloat in Japan-based Filipino filmmaker Donie Ordiales’ chilling thriller. Anchored by superb performances by both Aquino and Hira (Shogun and Giri/Haji), this rare Philippines-Japan co-production effectively uses a genre film framework to explore the trials and tribulations of Japan’s foreigner community.

Donie Ordiales, Director

Donie Ordiales was born on February 11, 1984, In Las Pinas City, Metro Manila. In 2004, Donie moved to Japan and studied Film directing at the Tokyo Film Center School of Arts. After he graduated, he began working for a Tokyo-based production company specializing in corporate videos and events. But, narrative film directing is still his first love. Therefore Donie proceeds on making his short films and juggles the time between his projects and day job. He produced, wrote, and directed a few short films and won some awards at International Film Festivals which paved his way to finally having a feature-length directorial debut. Being a Filipino in Japan, Donie witnessed the coexisting community of Japanese and Filipinos and this became his inspiration for his stories.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, United States