Watch Japayuki

Japayuki is a 1993 Filipino movie starring Ruffa Gutierrez and Monsour Del Rosario. The film is directed by Jose 'Kaka' Balagtas and produced by Guia Zapata. The movie follows the story of a young woman named Maria, played by Ruffa Gutierrez, who moves to Japan to work as a entertainer and support her family back in the Philippines. She joins a group of Japanese-philippine bars girls who are known as "Japayuki." These girls perform in bars and entertain Japanese businessmen.

Maria's life as a Japayuki is fraught with challenges. Despite the initial excitement of living in Japan and making good money, she soon discovers the hardships of being a Japayuki. She faces the exploitation, discrimination, and sexism from her employers, customers, and even fellow Filipinos.

The movie does not delve deeply into these issues and only gives a glimpse into the lives of Japayukis. It, however, manages to give a good overview of the life of women who work as entertainers or in bars in Japan. The film portrays their struggles and resilience.

The film also features the love story between Maria and Sun, played by Monsour Del Rosario. Sun is a half-Japanese, half-Filipino man who is swept off his feet by Maria's charm and beauty. Their love story is not the central plot of the movie but is interwoven into the story of Maria's life as a Japayuki.

Japayuki has a few musical numbers that showcase Ruffa Gutierrez's singing and dancing skills. The songs are catchy and entertaining, but the movie does not rely on them to drive the plot forward.

Overall, Japayuki is a compelling movie that offers a glimpse into the lives of Filipinos living and working in Japan. The film manages to shed light on the hardships and challenges that Japayukis face without being too graphic or exploitative. It is a balanced portrayal of a community that has often been stigmatized.

Ruffa Gutierrez delivers a convincing performance as Maria. She manages to convey the emotions of a young woman who is homesick, scared, and vulnerable. Monsour Del Rosario also gives a decent performance as the love interest of Maria. He brings a sense of charm and sensitivity to his character.

The cinematography of the movie is beautiful. The shots of Tokyo and other parts of Japan are breathtaking. The movie manages to capture the beauty of the country while also highlighting the grit and harshness of life as a Japayuki.

In conclusion, Japayuki is a movie that is worth watching. It is an entertaining and informative film that tackles relevant issues. The performances of the actors, the beautiful cinematography, and the catchy music make it an enjoyable watch. Despite its age, it remains a relevant film that sheds light on the lives of marginalized communities.

Japayuki is a 1993 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes.