HOLLYWOOD INSIDER

Dolly de Leon on life after Cannes: 'I just enjoy it like a rock star so I don't get stressed'

LOS ANGELES — It was a reunion of sorts when we saw Dolly de Leon again, this time in Los Angeles, after her whirlwind festival run for Ruben Ostlund's "Triangle of Sadness."

The UP Diliman alum and theater-film actress was a scene-stealer in the film as she portrayed Abigail, the hardworking toilet manager-turned feisty island leader.

The movie also featured Woody Harrelson (Captain Thomas Smith), Harris Dickinson (Carl) and the late Charlbi Dean (Yaya) in the cast.

The film, which premiered at the 75th Cannes Film Festival where we first met and interviewed De Leon, not only received an eight-minute standing ovation from the audience but also bagged the Palme d'Or award.

De Leon, who was in the City of Angels for the film's LA premiere, also went to Fantastic Festival in Austin, Texas, New York International Film Festival, London Film Festival and the Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia for the movie's screening.

She also received the "Breakthrough Performance Award" at the 10th annual Middleburg Film Festival for her performance in "Triangle of Sadness."

We were able to interview De Leon at the London Hotel in Los Angeles.

How are you, Dolly? It is so nice to see you here in LA.

How are you, Janet? You are special because you and Ruben (Nepales) have supported me since we met in Cannes. Love you guys!

Thank you, Dolly! Congratulations on all the accolades you have been receiving. We last saw each other in Cannes when your film "Triangle of Sadness" won the Palme d'Or award. Please give us an update on what happened after Cannes—the festivals you have attended and the Middleburg Film Festival award you received there in Virginia.

So many things have happened since Cannes. I went to Toronto first. It is so funny since this is my first time to attend film festivals. Masaya. The experience is different since you meet different people and encounter different cultures.

After TIFF, I went to LA to attend mostly screenings and press events. Then I went to New York. They have a different audience there too and a different feel.

I just feel that I am getting the best of all the worlds. In London, iba din doon. It is very exciting din doon. Daming gimmick. Sa Austin, horror naman doon ang theme. Sobrang saya and a different take.

Then in Virginia, at the Middleburg Film Festival, I received my first ever international award so it is extra special to me because Sheila Johnson the CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts and the co-founder of BET, a Black woman started it and I love to see women pioneers in their chosen field. We had a nice luncheon for women. Masaya. Sobrang saya. So much fun.

How are you handling this whirlwind experience of being in the spotlight especially during the awards season?

I am just enjoying it. Ine-enjoy ko lang talaga. Nakakabaliw kasi kung seseryosohin ko. Because of the different time zones. It is physically and mentally exhausting. You change clothes a lot. Nakakabaliw. I just want to feel I am like a rock star, and I have a concert. I just enjoy it, so I do not get stressed. I do not take myself seriously. I just have fun and cherish these moments. And I am also journaling everything so I will remember.

How do you feel now that Filipinos in the Philippines will be able to watch your film, "Triangle of Sadness" since it will be screened finally in the Philippines in QCinema Film Festival on Nov. 17 and in theaters on Nov. 30?

Sobra akong excited. Uwing uwi na talaga ako. Masarap ma acknowledge in other countries, but I am most excited to see my friends and family to see my movie. For them to watch it at QCinema on Nov. 17 and during the official theatrical release on Nov. 30 is really exciting for me.

First time I met you, you didn't have a manager. Now you are being represented by Fusion Entertainment. How does it feel to have a manager in America?

I feel like I have extra limbs, extra hands and feet. Yung load na dala ko e nabawasan. Alagang alaga niya ako. That is Adam Kersh and his group. All my needs are met. They really focus on me and on their job. Especially now that I do not have any family to lean on, walang pamilyang masasandalan, I rely on Adam Kersh and his team. Magaling silang mag-alaga. They put their client first before anything else. He knows the business very well and the ins and outs of the entertainment industry kaya I also learn from him. Masaya. I treat him like a friend.

Your co-star and friend Charlbi Dean passed away in August. What are your memories of her and how does it feel to be in her city, Los Angeles?

I miss her every day. I think of her every day. Especially now since I am here in LA. Sometimes I imagine myself talking to her as I talk to you now. Because we planned for this. She said, "When you are in LA, I will show you around with my fiancé Luke. He will cook for you." I talk to her every day. I am not hallucinating ok. But I tell her, "Hey, they are asking me to pose for the red carpet. How do you pose?" I hear her voice. I know she is there, and she is looking over me and is very happy. She deserves all the honors and recognition she is getting as well because she deserves them.

If somebody told you before that all these good things would be happening to you, how would you have reacted?

I would say, you are telling a lie! Sinungaling ka. I won't believe her. What is happening to me is beyond my wildest dreams. In fact, even my wildest dreams are not like this. But if they told me what I should have done and I want others to learn from it too so they do not make the same mistake is I would tell them to prepare their bodies for this journey.

I would have prepared my body because you need physical stamina for this journey. I am not sick, but I would take care of my body. You need to be prepared for this journey physically and mentally. You have to take care of both your physical and mental health.

How are your children, family or friends reacting to your new life as a Hollywood star?

Am I a Hollywood star? My kids just laugh at me. They say Mommy you are now an influencer. I have four kids and they have different reactions. My eldest one is wise, and she boosts my morale. She is my cheerleader. The second one teases me. The third one is very proud of me. And the fourth one does not yet reconcile what is really going on.

As for my family and my siblings, sobrang supportive sila. Because they know all these years, these 30 years that I have been working in the industry, they saw me binubuno ko 'yan. They saw my paghihirap at sa wakas nagbubunga na 'yung pinaghirapan ko.

But the most overwhelming support I get is from my colleagues in the industry. They give me 100 percent support because they know this is for everybody, for our countrymen. Everything that is happening is for all our kababayan. They know that the industry is a cutthroat industry and what is happening to me is opening the doors for everybody and they are happy for all of us.

What are your future plans? What is your next project?

I do not have any future projects yet. Wala pa. Just reading scripts and studying what I want to do. But there are potential projects but nothing final there yet. But for sure I will be back here in LA for potential projects.

Your other dreams?

I would love to work with Daniel Day Lewis and Meryl Streep. 'Yun ang totoo.

My dream is to work in a safe, nurturing, inclusive work environment with a filmmaker just like Ruben Ostlund who is very collaborative and is opening doors for exploration and experimentation and to be able to work with stars who are always seeking the truth to reflect the lives of people.

As an actor, I would like to inspire people since magulo ang mundo natin ngayon. I would like to help improve the state of mind of people.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News