Venice Film Festival 2021

John Arcilla wins Coppa Volpi for Best Actor

By Demi Braque

John Arcilla was named the 78th Best Actor recipient for the Coppa Volpi Miglior Attore in the recently-concluded Venice Film Festival. He is the first Filipino to have received the honors.

He won the award for his role in the movie, "On the Job: The Missing 8," where he plays the role of a journalist who investigates the mysterious disappearances of his colleagues.

"Bonni serrata, Venice Film Festival! Mille grazie! Well, if there's something that I really regret to make is because that I will not be able to kiss my own Volpi Cup there in the middle of Venice, and on that red carpet just like the 77 great actors who I really admire - who have already kissed their own. This (is a) most wonderful and prestigious award that one actor can have. So I'm also the happiest actor tonight. 

"Of course, also because I know that we come from different countries and we have different languages and cultures. And yet, I can feel oneness tonight and I feel that you understand me and we understand each other. It's because of the art of cinema. So thank you so much," said Arcilla, on a recorded acceptance speech, that was broadcast during the awarding ceremonies.

Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho read the nominees names and announced Arcilla as winner. Erik Matti accepted the Volpi Cup on behalf of Arcilla.

"We share this award with the ensemble cast and John did a really good job. Everything in the cast was really good. Thank you!" declared Matti.

Directed by Erik Matti, this sequel to the 2013 film "On The Job," written by Michiko Yamamoto, focuses on corruption and media censorship now that a new strongman, Duterte, is in power in the Philippines.

The film also star Dennis Trillo, Christopher de Leon, Rayver Cruz, Vandolph, William Martinez, Lotlot de Leon, Eric Fructoso, Andrea Brillantes, Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, Soliman Cruz, Dante Rivero, Ina Feleo, Isabella de Leon, Joey Marquez, Jaturong Mokjok, Kiat Kitjaroen, Anna Chuancheun, Kluay Chernyim, Ter Chernyim, and Leo Martinez.

The 78th Venice Film Festival ran from Sept 1 to 11 at the Palazzo del Cinema in Italy.

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Images from IMDb