MANILA — Japanese actress-model and former AV (adult video) idol, Maria Ozawa is eyeing to capture a wider audience by doing a Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry.
Ozawa will be working with Filipino actor Robin Padilla in the horror-action film “Nilalang.”
“When I visited the Philippines a few months ago, I was asked if I would want to act in a movie here. I said, ‘Yes of course!’ Working in other countries is always such an exciting experience for me,” she said in a press conference.
The actress shared that she also researched about Padilla and find him “hot and muscular.”
She added that leaving the AV scene is one of her steps to be known as more than just a sexy star.
“I wanted a change. I decided to leave the AV scene in order to make the next step. It’s hard to do everything at the same time,” the actress said.
Ozawa said she is now preparing for the film and is happy about how Filipinos in the country are welcoming her.
“I’ll train in martial arts, Kendo. I’ll learn some Tagalog phrases, too,” she said.
“I was at the airport, with no makeup on, but some people still knew it was me!
Or even when I went shopping,” she related.
“I was happy and surprised at the same time. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m famous?
’” she added.