John Arcilla and Christopher de Leon in “On the Job: The Missing 8.” Image: screengrab from YouTube/Reality Entertainment
“On the Job 2: The Missing 8” is out of the Oscars’ race after failing to make the shortlist of film nominees for international feature film.
The 95th Academy Awards revealed the list of shortlisted nominees on its official website on Thursday, Dec. 22, which includes the International Feature Film Category. The Erik Matti film was among the eligible entries from 92 countries, which were narrowed down by the award-giving body.
The international films that qualified to the next round of voting include “Argentina, 1985” from Argentina; “Corsage” from Austria; “Close” from Belgium; “Return to Seoul” from Cambodia, “Holy Spider” from Denmark; “Saint Omer” from France; “All Quiet on the Western Front” from Germany; “Last Film Show” from India; “The Quiet Girl” from Ireland; “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths” from Mexico; “The Blue Caftan” from Morocco; “Joyland” from Pakistan; “EO” from Poland; “Decision to Leave” from South Korea; and “Cairo Conspiracy” from Sweden.
Aside from the International Feature Film, the Oscars also unveiled the shortlisted entries for Animated Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Sound, and Visual Effects categories.
John Arcilla in “On the Job: The Missing 8”
“On the Job 2: The Missing 8” was released on Sept. 8 at the 78th Venice International Film, where lead star John Arcilla won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor. Arcilla was the first Southeast Asian actor to bring home an award from the award-giving body.
The thriller also stars Dennis Trillo, Joey Marquez, Leo Martinez, Christopher de Leon, Vandolph Quizon, Agot Isidro, Eric Fructuoso, and Soliman Cruz. It tells the story of a journalist who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his colleagues and gets exposed to the corrupt practices of the nation. EDV