Serial killer story steeped in the spiritual, superstition
Filipino-American Anthony Diaz V digs into his roots in directing and starring in the movie “Way Of The Cross,” which touches on Philippine culture, the predominant religion and controversies.
Anthony might be a new player in the local movie industry, but he started his career in film industry many years ago, and he even became the youngest Film graduate at University of Las Vegas Film School at age 20.
His father and former actor Antonio Diaz was also influential in his passion for making movies.
“My dad was an actor in the ’70s back in LA but that was the time when minorities weren’t getting the roles. It was very hard for Asians or anybody of color to get roles. My father growing up, when he saw that I have love for movies too, said ‘I want to harness his vision, I want to teach him what I learned,’” Anthony told Bulletin Entertainment.
After setting up his film production company called Kaizen Studios in Las Vegas and Japan, Anthony decided to go to to the Philippines and make a film that would resonate with the Filipinos.
“Take advantage of your Asian traits and make a film about your culture,” Anthony recalled his dad’s advice.
“Way Of The Cross” is about Rogelio “Rogue” Marquez, a Filipino-American FBI agent who visited a small religious town in the Philippines to see his ailing father. Murders ensues during his stay that also prompted him to discover the mystery behind the crimes.
“His Filipino father, who is a top agent in the Philippines, dies. The father and the son have an estranged relationship and they only got to know each other through Christmas gifts or parties. When my character goes back to bury his father, he gets mixed up in a series of murders that happens based on the Stations of the Cross that’s a serial killer murder and his FBI instincts clicked in even though he has no jurisdiction in the Philippines,” he related.
When asked how he prepared for his role, Anthony shared he met an FBI agent and shadowed him for about a week.
“I went with him at work and saw how he carries himself, just trying to get into the mindset of an FBI agent but also did some training, like shooting,” he said.
With the Philippines having a strong foundation on religion, Anthony likes how the movie can create curiosity among the viewers as it deals with crime and controversies in the church and society. They rewrote the story to make it relatable to the international market.
“Whether it resonates with the audiences or not, it’s up to them, but the market is what we’re trying to branch, like, whatever the language is, you understand the story. It’s a thriller-drama. Audiences can relate to the characters. That’s what I want the audiences to feel, like I can see myself in that character even though I’m not a superhero, I can relate to him,” he said.
The movie stars Anthony, Roxanne Barcelo, Rafael Rosell, and Alvin Anson, among others. Anthony shared that he loved his filmmaking experience here logistically and also working with the cast and crew.
“We had all the actors audition. I don’t care if it was Roxanne Barcelo, or Alvin Anson, or Rafael Rosell. I wanted to see if you’re right for your role regardless of the status.
“And they did an awesome job. It’s one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in the Philippines. I like bantering with the cast and crew. Compared to Japan, they don’t want to joke around too much and the language barrier. Here, if they don’t speak Tagalog, they speak English, I don’t have to use a translator,” he said.
While superheroes and rom-coms still seem to be a trend, Anthony is not afraid to showcase the thriller-drama “Way Of The Cross.” Anthony shared that he aims to bring the movie to streaming services where most people watch nowadays.
“I never see what’s working, what’s selling. I only see what’s compelling. Whether trendy or not, people are gonna watch it,” he said. “I want to make a movie where cultures clash but it actually brings up things that people don’t talk about and then that way it carries a life on its own. I just do what I feel like is a great story to tell and see how people receive it.”
Anthony hopes to explore more opprtunities in the local movie industry.
“We were actually looking up into opening Kaizen Studios here. Every time we make a movie here, I have a group of people that I trust in the talent, they know how I work, they know what I like, so it’s easy for me,” he said.
I never see what’s working, what’s selling. I only see what’s compelling. Whether trendy or not, people are gonna watch it. – Anthony Diaz V