Pinay Actress Hopes For Oscar Nod

The name Dolly de Leon doesn't ring a bell in the Philippines but in the United States, the Filipina actress is making a name for herself.

De Leon stars in the movie “Triangle of Sadness,” which won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival last May. The movie is a black comedy that tells the story of guests and crew of a luxury cruise ship that ended in a disaster and which led to a fight for survival no matter the social status of those involved.

The 53-year-old De Leon plays the role of Abigail, a toilet cleaner at a luxury liner who rises to a leadership position after the shipwreck. Her performance was lauded by critics, with Variety saying she could be one of the top contenders for best supporting actress in the next Academy Awards.

The actress was in the country to grace the special screening of the movie at the QCinema International Film Festival at Gateway Cineplex, which started on Nov. 17 and will run until Nov. 26. Apart from being QCinema’s opening film, the social class satire – which has been brought to the country by TBA Studios – will have a theatrical run nationwide, starting on Nov. 30.

In an interview with reporters during the festival’s opening night on Nov. 17, De Leon said she had been part of an all-out and “solid” campaign in the US for an Oscar nomination for the film and for her as best supporting actress.

According to De Leon, the producers of the film had been working hard and arranged back-to-back media interviews, photo shoots, screenings and cocktail parties for them to gain attention.

“I have to wake up early and sleep late,” De Leon said in Filipino.

De Leon admitted she is enjoying the attention that she’s been getting now after all the hardships that she went through. Having been in the business for more than 30 years, playing extra or bit roles, mostly with no names and no lines at all, De Leon believes that her time has come and she is thankful for the moment.

“It feels good, it’s a great feeling. Medyo may pressure din because before, ‘pag umaarte ako, enjoy ko na lang, like it’s another day at work. But ngayon parang may biglang mga mata na sa akin. May pressure na ganun. (There’s pressure as well because before, I would just enjoy acting like it’s another day at work. But now all eyes are on me. So the pressure is there),” De Leon said.

“I really try to get that out of my head so I can just enjoy the process. That I get to enjoy these new opportunities coming in,” she added.

The actress is also excited to share her journey with fellow Filipino actors and filmmakers who want to make it big in the Hollywood scene. She cited Chai Fonacier, Soliman Cruz, Ruby Ruiz, Erik Matti for “On the Job: The Missing 8” and other world-renowned Filipino talents who are making a mark in the international movie industry.

“I hope iyong nangyayari sa akin ay magbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kapwa natin Filipino na na nag-i-struggle sa pang-araw-araw na kabuhayan, lalo na iyong mga artista natin. Sana mabigyan sila ng pag-asa na it’s never too late (I hope that whatever I am experiencing now will provide inspiration to my fellow Filipinos who are struggling in their everyday lives, especially our actors. Hopefully this gives them hope that it’s never too late),” she said.

“The doors have opened and all of us are all there, helping each other, supporting each other,” she added.

De Leon is expected to spend Christmas in the country while waiting for the Oscar nominations announcement on Jan. 24, 2023.

Amid the publicity and rave reviews, De Leon is ready to accept it if she doesn’t get the Oscar nod she is hoping for. “Ayaw kong sumama ang loob ko kapag hindi tayo pumasok. So kung hindi pumasok, OK lang. Siguro iiyak ako ng isang araw tapos OK na ulit (I don’t want to feel bad if we don’t make it. If I do not make it, it’s OK. Maybe I’ll cry for one whole day and then I’ll be OK again),” she said.