I cried, she recalls.
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Here, she talks about the film and its impact on her career.
DEADLINE:When did this journey start for you?
Dolly de Leon.Jojit Lorenzo
DOLLY DE LEON:It started in 2018.
The casting director flew to the Philippines and they held auditions here.
So I had to wait another two years before we started filming.
Dolly De Leon as Abigail inTriangle of Sadness.Neon
It actually reached the point where I thought it was never going to happen.
And then, in 2020, we finally started filming, in March.
And then I waited another two years before the film came out.
So it was a long process.
It was four years in the making for me, but for them it was five.
DEADLINE:What appealed to you about playing Abigail?
DE LEON:First of all, I wanted to make her as human as possible.
I wanted her to be relatable.
I knew that thats why she was there, but I wanted to add more to that.
I talked to Ruben about that when we made that call, and he received it very well.
DEADLINE:What were your experiences on set?
So I was really intimidated.
I would go in nervous all the time, scared that I would disappoint them.
And when we were on the island, thats when we already had established some rapport.
We created a bond; me and the cast and Ruben and the crew were all friends.
So that became so much easier.
And even if its a comedy, were dealing with a very serious subject matter.
Where did that confidence come from?
I cant speak for other actors, but I think thats part of the job.
And it comes into play naturally if you put yourself in that kind of mindset.
DEADLINE:Did you know Rubens films beforehand?
DE LEON:Yes, I did.
I watched that after I auditioned, but I knew about him.
DEADLINE:All of his films, as youve been saying, raise very interesting and complicated points.
Is that a difficulty when youre simply trying to play a character?
At least me thats my personal experience.
What was that experience like for you?
DE LEON:Oh, that was so weird.
It felt so surreal.
Like doinginterviews, meeting filmmakers and actors.
I felt like I was in a new world that was so exciting to me.
It was really very disorienting.
DE LEON:Ive been acting for more than 30 years.
And thats when I started doing it professionally and thats when I really started learning more about the craft.
DEADLINE:And what kind of parts were you playing in those early days?
DE LEON:In those days I was playing neighbors.
And then I started playing more significant characters.
I started playing the best friend of the lead, or the mother of the lead.
DEADLINE:Was this on stage or on TV?
DE LEON:That was mostly on TV and film.
For stage, I would usually play characters that go through a very serious character arc.
Its really in theater where Ive had a very lucrative career as an actor.
Thats where I immersed myself and learned everything, all the ropes.
DEADLINE:Are you talking about Manila?
DE LEON:Yeah.
I was born here, I live here.
I work here in TV.
The entertainment industry here is very, very active even during the pandemic.
Work didnt stop, we were still filming.
There were still shoots and tapings going on.
DEADLINE:And whats the movie industry like?
Yeah, filming really is constant here in the Philippines.
Its a big part of our culture.
DEADLINE:Theater-wise, what kinds of playwrights interest you and what kind of parts have you enjoyed playing?
DE LEON:Early in university, I was really very much drawn to Harold Pinter.
I loved his silent key in of theater with so many pauses and silences.
I love that about him.
Ive also done some Samuel Beckett I didWaiting for Godot and Shakespeare.
Ive done Portia inThe Merchant of Venice.
Ive also done some Greek tragedies, likeMedea, where I played the nurse and the messenger.
And a lot of original Filipino work.
We also have a lot of very talented playwrights here.
DEADLINE:Its ironic that you should mention so many serious playwrights when your performance is so funny!
You obviously have very good comic timing.
Where does that come from?
DE LEON:[Laughs] I dont know.
DEADLINE:How quickly did you notice the impact of Triangle of Sadness on your career?
DE LEON:It was really night and day.
Like I said, it was very disorienting because the change was just so sudden.
And that all happened in a span of four months.
So Im just trying to be as grounded as possible.
I like to think that everyone else has changed except for me.
DE LEON:Yes, actually.
To me, theres nothing wrong with that at all, because thats the reality.
Its an honorable job.
So, yeah, [th conversation has] mostly about that.
Its mostly about creating stereotypes and keeping us in a box.
Because there are also so many Filipinos who come from different walks of life.
Not all of us are from the service industry, a lot of us are professionals in other ways.
There are doctors, lawyers, judges, senators, and there are also those who are destitute.
Were just like any other ethnicity.
Theres a lot of diversity.
So yes, [the film is] really opening a lot of discussion about that.
DEADLINE:And what has it done for your career?
What opportunities have come your way?
Id say, Yeah, Im free!
It was just, Yeah, Im free.
Now, thats changed.
Thats the biggest change and the most important change of all.
DEADLINE:Triangle of Sadness was a huge deal in Cannes.
What was the reaction at home?
DE LEON:Oh, everyone has been so supportive.
I just feel like I have an entire nation behind me.
Everyone is rooting for me.
Everyone wants to help.
Everyone wants to contribute in some way.
And I really feel touched by so many lives, by people who are there to share their love.
I feel so much love right now.
And thats a big change too.
DEADLINE:Youve traveled around the world with the film, and now youre off to the Golden Globes.
When did you realize this film was taking off internationally?
DE LEON:It really all started in Cannes, and after that it just snowballed.
But Cannes was when we all realized that all our hard work was being recognized and rewarded.
DEADLINE:Is there a moment that stands out from Cannes for you?
DE LEON:Probably seeing all those famous people, I guess.
Thats when I realized, Wow, oh my gosh, look at where I am.
Because here in the Philippines no one recognizes me.
No one knows who I am.
I can walk around and Im fine.
But in Cannes, the moviegoers started recognizing us, and it kind of felt good!
DEADLINE:Who were your role models when you decided to become an actor?
And, of course, Meryl Streep inSophies Choice,The Deer Hunter,Kramer vs. Kramer.
Then later on, when she explored comedy and she did so well,The Devil Wears Prada.
Those are the films that really made an impact on me.
So I was growing up with films likeIts a Wonderful Life,Casablanca,Wuthering HeightsandRebecca.
Thats an era that really left a mark on me.
DEADLINE:So what are you doing next after Triangle of Sadness.
Are you booked up or are you taking some time off?
DE LEON:Taking time off???
What does that even mean?
After that, Im coming back here to film something else in April.
But I love that.
I like being on a film set.
So Im looking forward to it.
DEADLINE:Any plans to work with Ruben again?
Do you think thats a possibility?
DE LEON:Thats entirely up to him.
If he sees anything that does not ring true, he will call you on it.
You cant get away withanything.
So I loved working with him, and I would love to work with him again.
DEADLINE:Are you the sort of person that has a bucket list?
DE LEON:Idohave a bucket list.
I would love to explore other schools of learning, other styles of filmmaking.
I would love to write, thats one of my dreams.
I would love to write a screenplay or a series.
DEADLINE:Will you ever leave Manila?
And then maybe, if theres a job, Ill fly to the city to film.
Thats the life I want.
