Dolly de Leon tells more Filipino stories for moviegoers

Dolly de Leon plays glamorous business tycoon and socialite Molly Suzara in the dark comedy “A Very Good Girl” by ABS-CBN Films | Contributed photo

Los Angeles — Multi-awarded Filipino actress Dolly de Leon shot to international recognition with her standout performance in last year’s “Triangle of Sadness,” directed by Ruben Ostlund, earning her a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress nomination (the first Filipina to do so) and Oscar nomination buzz.

Filipino-American audiences will get to see more of her in various US projects in the months to come as Hollywood embraces her talents. She will be joining the supporting cast of upcoming action-comedy film “Grand Death Lotto” starring John Cena, Awkwafina, and Simu Liu. She’s also attached to the comedy film “Between the Temples,” with Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane.

De Leon will also be joining the second season of TV series “Nine Perfect Strangers,” which stars Nicole Kidman. Meanwhile, she has been busy working on Philippine-produced films.

A star-studded premiere

Dolly de Leon (left) co-stars with Asia’s box office superstar Kathryn Bernardo (right) in the dark comedy “A Very Good Girl” | Contributed photo

De Leon co-stars with Asia’s box office superstar Kathryn Bernardo in the dark comedy “A Very Good Girl” by ABS-CBN Films. De Leon plays glamorous business tycoon and socialite Molly Suzara, with whom Philomena Angeles (Bernardo) has a score to settle.

The Filipino-American community came out strong to show their support at the film’s Hollywood premiere at the Silver Screen, Pacific Design Theater.

Bretman Rock, “Rupaul’s Drag Race” alumnus Manila Luzon, and other Fil-Am celebrities from film, TV, and theater graced the star-studded event, which included executives from ABS-CBN films who flew in from Manila.

This movie is also showing in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nigeria, and in the Middle East.

Dolly de Leon at the Oscars

De Leon is also part of “The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw),” the Philippines’ entry to the 96th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars.

De Leon bagged the Best Supporting Actress Award for her work in this 90-minute film when it had its world premiere at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in the Philippines. The film won the festival’s Best Film Award.

De Leon plays Rosalinda, the supportive mother of Eric, who works as an animator and has been becoming close to someone he likes. When Rosalinda asks Eric to check in on a relative who might be missing, Eric begins to confront other facets of his life that are missing. There is also an alien involved.

Dolly de Leon (right) is part of the cast of the animated film “The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw),” the Philippines’ entry to the 96th Academy Awards

About time these stories are told

De Leon said that she has received “a lot of really good feedback” from Filipino Americans about these two films.

For “A Very Good Girl,” she has observed that moviegoers “did not expect that kind of genre from ABS-CBN Films. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to elicit discomfort [with my performance].” De Leon says she is happy to be part of a film that showcases the talents of the studio’s writers.

As for “The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw),” she said, “I’ve been getting feedback from the queer community.”

“It’s about time stories like this are told. It’s okay to talk about it and “nothing to be ashamed of,” she said of the movie’s subject matter. “This movie is really a good vehicle for this kind of topic. It spoke volumes to a lot of people who have seen it.”

De Leon is happy to help bring more Filipino stories and Filipino filmmaking to the forefront. “Our films are special. They are unique to our culture. They are uniquely Filipino.”