On HBO Go, we can watch Erik Matti’s rebooting, and sequel, of his masterpiece, On the Job. If you recall, there was the 2013 film that was primarily about the unholy matrix that existed between the politicians, law enforcement officials, and the convicts in a city jail.
The convicts would regularly be let out to act as hit squads under the legal cover of they’re incarcerated, and can’t be traced. And just earlier this year, Erik brought his sequel "On The Job - The Missing 8," to the Venice Film Festival, where John Arcilla topped all other comers to take the Best Actor Prize. That was definitely one bright, shiny moment for John, Erik, for Reality, MM Studios, and Globe Studios - and Philippine cinema.
Streaming now on HBO Go is the OTJ Limited Series, 6 episodes that encompass the OTJ saga. Erik has restored scenes that were originally cut from the first 2013 film, and those make up the first two episodes of the series. Then they’re followed by episodes which offer us The Missing 8 sequel that was exhibited in Venice. The shift in time and location between the two main parts are quite distinct, but together they make for an all-powerful film of social commentary about Philippine corruption, and our way of life. Thanks to the screenplay and direction, the film informs, entertains, and serves as a grim, but necessary, mirror for us to face ourselves.
In this report, I’ll talk more about The Missing 8 episodes, as enough has been written about the 2013 film. The immediate thing we’ll notice is the shift away from the city to a provincial LGU, the fictional town of La Paz - which ironically, means Peace. It’s a world of populist, strong-arm leaders, who rule with impunity, and a callous disregard for human rights. This is personified in Mayor Pedring Eusebio (Dante Rivero), and his son (played by Wendell Ramos). When he gets irritated by the local media, dire things happen, and without a doubt, the Maguindanao Massacre preyed heavy on the minds of the film’s creative pool.
The two main protagonists are Sisoy (John Arcilla), and Arnel (Christopher de Leon), and while the two co-founded the local paper; when we met them, they’re engaged in a ‘cold war’. It seems Sisoy has a radio show, where he habitually defends the Mayor, turning a blind eye to the atrocities that are being committed in the name of progress, and peace and order. And of course, this rankles Arnel, who feels the responsibility and duty of the press is being trampled upon by the forces-that-be - a small example being the ‘mahiwagangsobre’ of cash, distributed after every La Paz press briefing.
Mention of Maguindanao should be the clue to what transpires in the film, and how we follow Sisoy in his troubled journey back from being on the dark side, or merely fence-sitting.
Ultimately, the film is about journalism, about the proliferation of fake news and social media clickbait turning into gospel truth - valued even above responsible journalism. A crucial role in the narrative is the convict Roman (played by Dennis Trillo with a nose prosthetic and ugly hair cut). The connections to the first film come in the form of such personalities as General Pacheco (Leo Martinez at his slimy best), and Sgt. Joaquin (Joey Marquez).
No spoilers here, so be ready to be fascinated by the unfolding story, the twists and turns, and how Direk Matti will play with camera angles, split screens, and super-imposed images to keep us visually engaged. It’s a gangster world in this film’s world view; and that is true whether we’re talking of the political, judicial, social, or even the penal levels of our society. It’s harsh and cruel, but the film also asks us if it has to be. Is history some elusive ghost, ready to repeat itself again and again? That would also seem to be one of the hard questions being asked by this film.
Stream It or Skip It: If you want to champion Philippine cinema, you definitely stream this and appreciate the nuances of John Arcilla’s portrayal of Sisoy, his arc from fence-sitter to avenging angel.
In line with the #PlayItRight advocacy of Globe, protect the intellectual property rights of the creative talent behind this masterful Limited Series, and only watch OTJ on HBO Go.