New Erik Matti film tackles quirks of Gen Z STAR CIRCUIT

Award-winning filmmaker Erik Matti has a new movie titled “A Girl and A Guy” that will be released worldwide June 24 via Upstream.ph. This the initial offering of Upstream Original.

The movie that tells the story of today’s Generation Z stars Candice Ramos, Sarah Holmes, Alexa Miro at Rosh Barman.

“We will get to know the Gen Z thru this movie and their being reckless at times. But I didn’t inject my own opinion about the Gen Z people [instead] I showed their world, which is very much different from past generations,” said Direk Erik at the movie’s recent Zoom conference.

Neither is Direk Erik passing judgment on Gen Z. He made the movie just to tell their story with the hope that the audience gets to understand their quirks.

“I also didn’t put my own words into their story, like I am apologizing for them. I accept them and I don’t want to judge them. What you will see in the movie is how they are. That’s how they think. I can’t tell their story some other way.”

What is difficult in doing the film, according to the filmmaker, is that it has lots of graphic sex and nudity. If the girl goes nude, the boy goes nude as well.

“If you want to tell the story of Gen Z, there should be no censorship,” the award-winning director added.

He has nothing but praises for his amazing cast. “I told them what I need for the roles. In terms of nudity, I can’t tell them what will be seen. Are they ready for it? They all said yes and they trust me. They understood my intention. My cast is made up of actors who are raw but they are instinctive. They easily get what I want and they are intelligent. It was such a delight to work with them.”

Needless to say, the cast achieved what he wanted and more so Direk Erik couldn’t be happier.

“It’s a brave movie but you have to see beyond the nudity. The nudity is secondary to the whole movie. After watching the film, you will fall in love with this generation,” said the director.

The chance to work with Direk Erik was the reason why Candice had no hesitation in accepting the role although it requires nudity. She is a fan of “On The Job,” the award-winning film of Direk Erik and when she was offered “A Girl and A Guy,” she readily said yes.

Direk Erik said Candice perfectly fits the role of a predator in the film and was able to relate since she is part of Gen Z. Candice was crowned Miss Philippines Eco Tourism 2012 and many were surprised upon learning she accepted the daring role.

“I am playing a very much different role from what I am in real life but I understood the intention of the film and that made me embrace the role fully,” said Candice, adding that we will come to understand the Gen Z and why they act that way.

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The BL movie “Lockdown” is the first lead role of Paolo Gumabao who, if you don’t know yet, is the son of former actor Dennis Roldan.

In the movie directed by Joel Lamangan, he plays an OFW whose contract was terminated at the height of the pandemic, forcing him to become a cybersex adult performer.

He was challenged by the opportunity to be directed by Joel, who is known as an actor’s director.

He has provocative scenes in the movie, but he also displayed good acting, which earned praise from his director.

“Lockdown” will be shown on KTX.ph, Upstream and RAD on July 23.

On television, Paolo plays the trusted aide of Eula Valdez in the widely-followed inspirational series “Huwag Kang Mangamba.” He helps Eula in her nefarious activities as a fake healer.