“Buybust” stars Brandon Vera, Anne Curtis and Arjo Atayde at the Cebu presscon
THE MOST awaited Filipino action film, “BuyBust” is set to open in Philippine cinemas today.
And its lead star Anne Curtis considers the highly anticipated movie as the highlight of her 21 years in showbiz.
“I would definitely have to say yes (highlight) because this is the hardest film I have ever had to shoot in my life,” the actress told members of the Cebu Entertainment Group in a recent press conference.
Curtis plays Nina Manigan, an anti-narcotic agent who will hunt Biggie Chen (Arjo Atayde) in a Manila slum.
Since the film is “90 percent action,” Curtis—who is known for romantic comedy and drama movies, had to train with the Philippine Scout Rangers to prepare for her role.
“This is a highlight for me and a time to get work with Brandon (Vera) and Arjo with Direk Erik Matti,” she added.
The movie is also a reunion of sorts for Curtis and Matti.
In 1997, Curtis starred in “Magic Kingdom” with Marco Solis, Jason Salcedo, and Junell Hernando where Matti served as an assistant director.
“And he (Matti) was the very first director to give me an acting workshop. So parang I have come full circle and now we are doing a film together,” Curtis said. “It’s
definitely a highlight in my 21 years in the industry.”
Atayde described Matti as happy, smiling, approachable, and very professional.
“I think brilliant is an understatement,” the actor said.
For him, Matti is unbelievable who gives specific instead of general ideas to actors in portraying characters.
“I’m still looking forward to working with him in another project,” he said.
In the movie, Atayde takes on an offbeat character, Biggie Chen, one of the biggest players of the illegal drug trade in Manila hunted by the anti-narcotic group.
Aside from jokingly calling him “Tito,” Vera described Matti as a coach and gifted director.
“He is one of the easiest directors to work with,” Vera said.
Vera, a mixed martial artist, plays Rico Yatco, one of the squad members.
“BuyBust” is his first film and he said he had to turn down at least five fights for the film which was two years in the making.
Curtis said she got the chance to know two sides of Matti—as a normal person and as a director.
“When we are hanging out, when we are making kwentuhan, when we are not working, he is so jolly. Ma-kwento, tumatawa! Once he is on set, he is a totally different
person,” the actress said.
She also thinks Matti is brilliant with his craft.
”I think whatever he sees on his mind he will bring it out on screen,” Curtis said.
Matti is known for his critically acclaimed films, “On The Job” (2013), “Honor Thy Father” (2015), and “Seklusyon” (2016).
He is currently directing Liza Soberano for the upcoming “Darna” movie.
Prior to the today’s opening, “BuyBust” had its premiere in Cebu and in Manila. It was also screened at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in New York City, Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada, and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea.