Carlo Aquino, Kei Kurosawa team up with Emmy-nominated Takehiro Hira

Kapamilya talents Carlo Aquino and Kei Kurosawa have teamed up with Japanese actor Takehiro Hira for the upcoming film “Crosspoint.” Hira is known for his Emmy- and BAFTA-nominated role as Ishido Kazunari in “Shogun.”

‘Crosspoint’ stars Zeppi Borromeo, Kei Kurosawa and Carlo Aquino 

In the film, Aquino plays the lead role of Manuel Hidalgo, a former Filipino celebrity who struggles as an undocumented performer in Tokyo. He crosses paths and partners with Shigeru Yamaguchi, portrayed by Hira, a once-successful construction company owner who has fallen into financial ruin. Together, the two characters pursue a wanted serial killer, hoping to claim a bounty that could solve their money problems.

In a press conference, Aquino admitted that working with Hira was intimidating.

“”The first time I saw him — he was this huge guy. [Hira] is six feet tall, and since the spaces in Japan are quite small, it’s intimidating when he enters a room. But once we start filming, all that goes away because I become Manuel, and he, his character,” he shared.

Aquino’s role in “Crosspoint” came about through the efforts of his friend and co-actor Zeppi Borromeo, who also stars as Oliver in the film. Borromeo was instrumental in getting Aquino involved, believing him to be the perfect fit for the role.

“When I learned about the story, I thought, ‘Carlo would be great for this.’ He’s an incredible actor, down-to-earth, and always professional. Of course, he’s Carlo Aquino already,” Borromeo shared.

In return, Aquino expressed his gratitude to Borromeo, noting how their previous work together on the TV series “The Better Half” cemented their friendship.

“I’m so thankful Zeppi thought of me for this project. He could have taken the role himself, but instead, he thought of me,” Aquino added.

Besides working with Hira, Aquino shared that he faced additional challenges making the movie, including filming in freezing outdoor conditions.

“Another challenge for me was the weather. I’m not used to filming outdoors in sub-zero temperatures, and on top of that, I had to run, so it was really a difficult project for me,” said Aquino, who spent three weeks in Japan filming.

For rising star Kurosawa, “Crosspoint” marks a significant milestone in her acting career. Known for her role in ABS-CBN’s “Zoomers,” Kurosawa plays Mayuko Yamaguchi.

“I’ve had a lot of firsts with this film. When I got cast, I had only been with Star Magic for about a year. I had done acting workshops, but mostly guest appearances in TV shows like ‘Lyric and Beat’ and ‘Senior High.’ In this project, I finally had a character with a name, and that was a big step for me,” Kurosawa said.

The 22-year-old also spoke about her initial nervousness working alongside seasoned actors like Aquino and Hira.

“I was really scared at first because acting isn’t my forte. Growing up, I focused more on singing and dancing. But working with Kuya Carlo, Kuya Zeppi, and the Japanese actors, I learned so much. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging,” she said.

In the film, she portrays a full-blooded Japanese character. Despite being half-Japanese, she had to master the Japanese language for the role, as she grew up in a Filipino environment. This task took her a year of study, plus additional coaching on accents and pronunciation.

“My character isn’t Filipino at all, and I’m not fluent in Japanese, so I had to study for a year and get an accent coach. I was really nervous about my scenes with Takehiro Hira because I wanted to make sure my pronunciations were correct,” she explained.

Kurosawa further shared her pride in representing both cultures in the film.

“I really don’t know how to explain how I felt, but being able to represent both the Philippines and Japan is very special to me,” Kurosawa said.

Directed by Donie Ordiales, “Crosspoint” delivers a powerful message that nothing in life is permanent. Circumstances can change dramatically at any moment, and “Crosspoint” delves into the profound ways those changes occur.

Aquino reflected on the film’s message, stating, “Life will always keep ‘life-ing,’ so to speak. No matter what blows or punches it throws at you, you have to stand up. It’s okay to get hurt, it’s okay to cry, but you need to stand up. Fight back.”

A collaborative project between High Road Creatives and Japan’s 034Productions, “Crosspoint” is set to premiere on October 10 at Gateway Mall 2, followed by a nationwide release on October 16.