By Crispina Martinez-Belen (Manila Bulletin, www.mb.com.ph)
MANILA, Philippines — Phillip Salvador described Cesar Montano as a passionate artist particularly because of his dedication to the action movie “Hitman,” which opens on Feb. 22.
“Hitman” is a film Cesar produced, wrote, directed, and starred in. Co-produced with Viva Films, “Hitman” is also a movie he consciously helmed to stray away from the formulaic Pinoy action flicks we were used to watching in the past years.
Cesar has been hands-on with the “Hitman” project since inception. It was a movie he believed that could help bring back the popularity of the action genre in Philippine Cinema.
Inspired by the Hollywood movie “Collateral” which starred Tom Cruise, Cesar said of the film, “Hard action na hard action pero yung story hindi pa napapanuod sa Philippine cinema. Ang mga Filipino audience hindi na basta-basta nanunuod ng puro action. Importante yung story.”
Cesar in the past has also produced, directed and acted in the movies “Panaghoy sa Suba” and “Ligalig.”
Says Cesar: “Working with my ‘Hitman’ cast especially Kuya Ipe was quite an experience. Kuya Ipe made life easier for me sa set.’’
Aside from Phillip Salvador, with him in “Hitman” are Sam Pinto as his leading lady, Ricky Davao, Mark Herras, his son Diego Loyzaga Montano, Joko Diaz, Rommel Montano, Jeffrey Tam, Sunshine Garcia, Onchie dela Cruz and Alexis Navarro.
It won’t just be action films that Cesar has his eyes set on producing in the near future. Co-writing a script with Hollywood writer Donald Martin, he is scheduled to shoot his next movie early March or late February. Entitled “Getting to America,” it’s a dramedy that tackles the life of a Filipino wanting to get a US visa in the ’90s.