John Arcilla on Sunday (Manila time) won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor in the 78th Venice International Film Festival for his performance in "On the Job: The Missing Eight" --- the first Filipino actor to bag the prestigious award.
Arcilla's historic win ranks him among Hollywood's brightest stars, including Willem Dafoe, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, and Joaquin Phoenix.
Director Erik Matti received the award on behalf of Arcilla, who delivered his acceptance speech in a video. He said he regrets not being in Venice to kiss his own Volpi Cup like the winners before him, but was still the "happiest actor."
"I know that we came from different countries and we have different languages and cultures and yet I can feel oneness tonight and I can feel that you understand me and we understand each other. It’s because of the art of cinema," he added.
"On the Job: The Missing Eight", the sequel to the 2013 crime thriller film "On the Job", vied for the Golden Lion, the top prize in the Venice International Film Festival. It was the only Southeast Asian film to compete for the award among 20 other entries.
Arcilla plays the role of Sisoy Salas, a journalist who investigates the disappearance of his colleagues. Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo serves as the main hitman-inmate in the second movie.
Prior to the "On the Job" sequel, Arcilla is best known for his titular role in the film "Heneral Luna". He also played Hagorn in the 2016 version of Encantadia.
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, who won Best Director in the 2020 Academy Awards for the black comedy film "Parasite," led the jury at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. France's "Happening" won this year's Golden Lion.
Following its world premiere in the film festival, "On the Job: The Missing Eight" will have a worldwide release on HBO GO this September.
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