‘Nothing is stable’

The gripping action drama Crosspoint, directed by Donie Ordiales, is set to premiere on Netflix Philippines on 13 March, following its successful theatrical release in the country.

A compelling collaboration between the Philippines and Japan, the film stars award-winning Filipino actor Carlo Aquino, known for Whispers in the Wind, and Emmy-nominated Japanese actor Takehiro Hira, recognized for his performance in Shogun.

A story of survival and destiny

Desperation brings people to the most unexpected crossroads. Crosspoint follows Manuel Hidalgo, played by Carlo Aquino, a once-promising Filipino actor now living in the shadows of Tokyo, forced to perform illegally in Filipino pubs to survive. Struggling to escape his past and make ends meet, he crosses paths with Shigeru Yamaguchi, played by Takehiro Hira, a former construction manager drowning in debt and regret.

Both men are trapped — Manuel by his failures and the harsh reality of being an undocumented worker, and Shigeru by financial ruin and the weight of his past decisions. Desperate for a fresh start, they encounter an unexpected opportunity that could either change their lives or seal their fates forever. When they recognize a fugitive on the news, they see a chance to claim a massive reward. What begins as a desperate bid for survival soon turns into a perilous chase, forcing them to confront their deepest fears, test their morality, and determine how far they are willing to go to take control of their lives.

Director’s vision: Inspired by real-life struggles

Filmmaker Donie Ordiales, a Filipino director based in Japan, shares how Crosspoint was inspired by real people and events: “The characters of Manuel Hidalgo and Shigeru Yamaguchi were inspired by real people I met in Japan. Initially, I planned to create separate stories for each of them — one targeting the Filipino audience and the other challenging myself to capture the Japanese market,” Ordiales said. “What we can learn from Crosspoint is that nothing in life is stable. You can be at the top today, but everything can change in an instant. The greatest obstacle to progress is often ourselves, and unfortunately, the price of realizing this truth can be steep.”

Carlo Aquino on portraying an OFW

Carlo Aquino delved deep into his personal experiences to authentically portray Manuel Hidalgo, reflecting the challenges faced by many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Drawing parallels between his own career fluctuations and Manuel’s journey, Aquino remarked: “From being very popular, he became a washed-up actor, and then he was looking for work… It also happened to me. From my teenage years, tapos biglang nawala (projects suddenly disappeared). Although with Manuel, he’s older, it happened to me through the years. So, kumbaga, parang pasok pa rin (it still felt fitting.”

Aquino hopes Crosspoint captures the struggles and sacrifices of Filipinos working abroad — the dreams they chase, the hardships they endure, and the lengths they go to for the people they love.

Philippines-based Fire & Ice Media has successfully sold the Asia Pacific rights for Crosspoint to Netflix in a major deal secured during the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan.

This strategic move highlights the growing demand for high-quality Filipino cinema on international streaming platforms.

Crosspoint premieres on Netflix Philippines on 13 March.