Kaizen Studios Presents "WAY OF THE CROSS"

WAY OF THE CROSS produced by KAIZEN STUDIOS, Co. Ltd.,, is an upcoming psychological thriller film that is based on the 14 station of the cross and touches on Philippine culture, the predominant religion and controversies.

Filipino-American ANTHONY DIAZ V,  President of Kaizen Studios, is the writer of the film Way Of The Cross, co-written by Antonio Diaz based on an original story concept by Gorio Vicuna.

Set against a small religious town in the Philippines, "WAY OF THE CROSS" follows Rogelio "Rogue" Marquez (Anthony Diaz V), a Las Vegas based Filipino American FBI agent, whose estranged father living in the Philippines, is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Rogue travels to the Philippines to visit his dying father and half sister in Manila. A string of murders occur during holy week celebrations in the nearby town of San Antonio that send waves of terror among the local town people, and stuns the NBI and its top agent. Rogue's curiosity and FBI instincts lure him into a dark cat and mouse world of religious abstracts as he attempts to uncover the motivation behind these murders in hopes to solve the mystery.

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. His father and former actor Antonio Diaz was also influential in his passion for making movies.

Anthony discovered his love for film since childhood and enthusiastically began his journey into filmmaking through creating dozens of short films since the age of 15. This has given him a broad range of hands on experience through screen writing, directing, producing, acting and editing his own short films early on.

His passion for filmmaking led him to enroll at the University of Las Vegas Film School, USA (UNLV) where many famous movie directors and producers have taught. He graduated with high honors with a Bachelor Degree in Film in the year 2010 at the age of 20, making him the youngest graduate in the history of the program.

Anthony wrote, directed and acted in a short film called “Delusion” which was specially showcased at the UNLV Film Festival. The next film he wrote, directed and acted in, “Forgotten Heroes,” is about the war in Afghanistan and how it auects a U.S. military family. It received rave reviews and has played at various movie festivals. It was also under consideration to be showcased at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., and was highly endorsed by the Gold Star Wives of America - a well respected organization for spouses of those killed in the US military on active duty.

Way of the Cross is going to be a controversial film when it comes out, not controversial in an anti religion way, but controversial, on how the religion played in the screenplay and how it progressed through the end. Script was rewritten from an American perspective. The first, second and third act had to follow a Hollywood formula standard. They rewrite the script to make more the film become international. They also made the film character driven so that every single person acted in this film had a significant voice in the movie.

The essence of the film is about faith which caters not only the religious market like European country but also the other countries embracing their own religion. The trailer itself will make you interested on how the story will unfold.

During the recent exclusive interview with Anthony, he said that he he loved his filmmaking experience here logistically and also working with the cast and crew.

He loves working with the cast because everyone is very passionate with what they do. 

"The cast are amazing actors and very serious with their craft, that once the camera started rolling, it will be a whole new world, new people," he adds. 

“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.

Way of the Cross movie is in English language throughout the film. Anthony said that is was easy for him to do the English movie here in the Philippines compared to Japan since most of the Filipinos speak fluent English. 

“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.

Check out the official trailer of WAY OF THE CROSS

The cast and people behind the WAY OF THE CROSS

ALVIN ANSON

Alvin is the younger brother of award winning Filipino actress Boots Anson-Roa, and son of legendary film star Oscar Moreno. He is a Sinag Maynila Award-Winning Filipino Actor, Producer, Director, TV host & musician.

At the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2016, Anson received the “Best Actor Award” for his lead portrayal in Ato Bautista's “Expressway.” He has starred in numerous TV shows and over 50 feature films throughout his career, both local and foreign, including the Hollywood film, "The Great Raid," starring James Franco and Benjamin Bratt.

MIGUEL VASQUEZ

Miguel brings over 18 years as a professional actor, host, commercial model, performer voice talent, assistant director, fight director, and producer.

Miguel is also a two-time nominee for Best Actor, Aliw Award. He is a well seasoned and prolific actor, having worked on countless award winning productions in theater TV and films, both local and international.

RAFAEL ROSELL

Rafael Rosell IV is a Filipino actor and model born in Stavanger Norway. Rosell is best known for playing Brandon Brazil on the ABS-CBN romance drama Midnight Phantom, Marco De Silva in Kristine, and as Mayor Edson Zaguirre in Dahil Sa Pag-ibig.

DAIANA “DIANE” MENEZES

Daiana Menezes (born June 20, 1987) is a Brazilian actress, model, pianist, painter and TV host, currently based in the Philippines, working for GMA.

As a film actress, she is known for My Amiga Girl (2012), Prince Vaali (2011), and Yaya & Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie (2009). 

ROXANNE BARCELLO

Anne Roxanne Jordan Barcelo, known as Roxee B, is a Filipino-American actress, model and singer born in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. She was only 8 years old when she joined and won “Best of the Best,” a singing contest in the USA. She also became a member of ESPN Kids, and a professional child model doing TV commercials for companies such as GAP and JCPenny. 

GIOVANNI RESPALL

Giovanni has been in the entertainment business for over 26 years as a Director and Actor in several Films, TV Shows, Commercials and Theatre. He is also a Screenplay and Script Writer for Films and Theatre. 

VIC ROMANO

Vic Romano had 18 years of extensive theater experience in various countries like Japan, and was involved in a series of stage play projects in the Cultural Center of the Philippines before entering the world of Independent filmmaking. This included Banyuhay by UP Laboratoryo, Pahimakas by Aldabas Theatre Friends Inc., Hamon ng Krus (Estephanus), 4 Classics Play (Hiraya Theatre Production), and Tattoo Buo by Hiraya Theatre Production. 

APOLLO ABRAHAM

Apollo Abraham is an actor, voice artist, events host, commercial model and voice-over, and has been in this industry for over 25 years. 

OZ RIVERA

Oz Rivera made his debut in the Australian film: JACK IRISH 2 along side Filipino veteran actor Alvin Anson. He appeared in Travel Chan- nel Asia's EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: The Curse of Yamashitas Gold as one of Ferdinand Marco's secret service agents. He has played a variety of versatile roles - from being a hitman in the TV series Dolce Amore with well known Filipino Actors: Enrique Gil, Cherie Gil and Alvin Anson - to playing a gay hotel worker: Rodrigo in the STAR CINEMA movie BARCELONA: A LOVE UNTOLD, starring Katherine Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. He played in many other TV series, such as ABS CBN'S: Till I met You, The Promise of Forever and A Love to Last... to name a few. 

DANIELLE CHOPIN

Danielle Chopin is delighted to be making her feature film debut with Kaizen Studios.

ELAINE CARRIEDO LOZANO

Line Producer

Elaine has extensive professional experience as a Line Producer, and is currently line producing, “WAY OF THE CROSS,” for Kaizen Studios. 

ANTONIO DIAZ

Executive Producer / Co-Director

Antonio Diaz is a Executive Producer and Director of “WAY OF THE CROSS.”

WAY OF THE CROSS is being produced by KAIZEN STUDIOS, Co. Ltd., which belongs to a International Holdings Company called, ZENZA GLOBAL. This Conglomerate comprises of various International Companies focusing on Health, Wellness, Beauty, Finance, Personal Development, Film Production, and Entertainment. They have oflces in Las Vegas, Japan, Hong Kong, China and other Southeast Asian Countries. Kaizen Studios is part of this group of companies. 

GORIO VICUNA

Chief Executive GWARD, Inc.

Co-Director, Way of the Cross 

Gorio was naturally artistic since he was a child. His talent for drawing, designing his own characters and painting was honed further when he studied BFA Advertising in PWU Manila. It paved the way for his explora- tion in Photography, Animation, Screenwriting and Filmmaking.