Director Erik Matti Lambasts John Arcilla, Star Magic for Not Recognizing His Film
Veteran director Erik Matti lambasted actor John Arcilla and Star Magic for allegedly recognizing his film after receiving the award.
The Philippine Senate recently honored John Arcilla for becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actor to win the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. He received the honor for his performance as journalist Sisoy Salas in the crime thriller “On the Job: The Lost Eight.”
The Senate passed a resolution congratulating John for his triumph at the famous international film festival on February 22, 2023. Senator Lito Lapid introduced Senate Resolution 490, which celebrates Filipinos’ world-class talent.
“Recognizing the achievement of John Arcilla is in accord with the Constitution’s acknowledgment of the importance of arts and culture in fostering patriotism and nationalism and in promoting total human liberation and development,” said Senator Lapid.
Nevertheless, the acclaimed director of that film, Erik Matti, objected after noting that neither John’s Senate address nor his Instagram post about it referenced their film once. As a result, Erik accused John and his management company, Star Magic, of being rude.
“Bastos kayo!” This is the message that the actor and Star Magic, which is currently managing the actor’s career, received from the award-winning filmmaker. Erik’s feelings were wounded since John and Star Magic’s social media tweets of gratitude did not include the title of their critically acclaimed film.
Director Erik asked: “Ano kayang movie nakapanalo kay @johnarcilla ng Volpi cup? Ni hindi man lang nila ma-mention ni @starmagicphils yung movie na nagbigay sa kanya ng parangal?
According to the director, he expected Abs-Cbn not to mention it because that’s how they were when they still had a franchise. They ignore it if it is not to their advantage. Erik even remarked that the film’s star couldn’t even acknowledge it.
“Pwera na kaming mga gumawa, ok lang di masabi pero sana yung movie man lang i-acknowledge. Ang Senado nga ni-recognize mismong movie na pinanalunan mo pero ikaw di mo ma-mention?
“Ako na magsasabi, ‘Salamat sa On The Job: The Missing 8 na movie na binigyan ako ng pagkakataon magawa ang role ni Sisoy Salas na ikinapanalo ko ng Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup award nung 2022.’
Director Erik’s remark makes it clear that he was deeply offended by the treatment of John and Star Magic in their film. “Lahat ng sponsor mo sa derma at diet mo minention mo yung film na nagpanalo sa’yo di mo masabi?” “Bastos kayo!” exclaimed the director angrily, based on the article of Bandera.
If Director Erik had not cooled down, he and the talent management firm that oversaw John’s career would not have modified their social media posts about the Senate’s acknowledgment of the actor’s Volpi Cup win in September 2021. As Erik’s article went viral, John modified his post to include a reference to their film “On the Job: The Lost 8.”
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