In an exclusive interview, Dolly De Leon shares how Triangle of Sadness made her rethink her plans of quitting acting
Landing her role in the international film, Triangle of Sadness, was the sign that actress Dolly De Leon asked for when she was having second thoughts about continuing her acting career.
De Leon said she was on cloud nine when she first learned that she would play Abigail, a toilet manager who became the de facto leader of the survivors of a sunken cruise yacht stranded in what seemed to be an uninhabited island.
“I think I literally jumped for joy—I really cried. I couldn’t believe it because I never usually get roles like this,” the UP Diliman alum and theater-film actress bared. “I actually asked God for a sign. Sabi ko, if I don’t get this, it means you don’t want me to act anymore, so I was thrilled [that I did get the role].”
But bagging the role and preparing for it are two different stories.
De Leon said she had to work on her physical health and did cardio everyday to prepare for the role in the award-winning satirical black comedy. “In terms of preparation, I [used] the treadmill everyday for 30 minutes because I knew very demanding siya, physically,” De Leon said.
The actress, however, shared that bringing Abigail to life was not much of a challenge as the life of the character hits close to home. “In terms of research, I didn’t have to do a lot because I am exposed to the life of OFWs and marami akong kakilalang OFWs,” she revealed. “And I’ve also done [these sorts of jobs] in life–I’ve cleaned toilets, I’ve waited on tables.”
Working with big names such as Woody Harrelson, Harris Dickinson, and the late Charlbi Dean was also an experience for the homegrown actress. According to De Leon, “[Working with them] was super sarap. They’re in the moment, totally professional. They’re so hardworking, they take their jobs very seriously so walang pumepetiks-petiks lang. Everyone’s really into it.”
Written and directed by acclaimed Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The film marks Östlund’s second Palme d’Or after The Square in 2017. The film also earned De Leon’s “Breakthrough Performance Award” at the 10th annual Middleburg Film Festival.
“The film is not only entertaining and funny, but it’s also very introspective. It’s a lot to think about—and not just about society. [It’s also about] how we think of the world and how we think of ourselves as individuals, so it’s something you can really take away from,” De Leon said. “If you’re soul searching or if you want to know more about yourselves or want to know the world better, this is the film to watch.”
Triangle of Sadness will premiere nationwide on Nov. 30, 2022, exclusively distributed by TBA Studios.
