Young actress Therese Malvar, ‘Hamog’ win in Moscow

THERESE Malvar. Cinema One Originals/FILE PHOTO

Therese Malvar won the Silver St. George Award for best actress at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival for her searing portrayal of a street urchin pushed to murder her oppressors in Ralston Jover’s “Hamog.”

Jover told the Inquirer that he is “extremely proud” of his young actress’ latest achievement.

Jover graced the Russian fest where the Filipino film was met with glowing reviews from cineastes. “They compared it to award-winning films from Europe. They were really interested in the plight of street children.”

Malvar was not able to attend the Russian festival because she was on her way to the United States, to accept Screen International’s Rising Star Award at the New York Asian Film Festival.

READ: 3 Filipino films impress NY Asian Film Festival organizers

A GMA 7 talent, Malvar expressed elation upon hearing the good news: “Wow!” She then shared her triumph with the rest of the “Hamog” team and thanked her director for the opportunity.

Malvar is the fourth, and youngest at 15 years old, performer to win best actress in an A-list film festival—after Nora Aunor for “The Flor Contemplacion Story” in Cairo (1995), Eugene Domingo for “Barber’s Tales” in Tokyo (2013) and Jaclyn Jose for “Ma’ Rosa” in Cannes (2016).

READ: John Lloyd Cruz receives NY fest honor

“Hamog” also won the Russian Critics’ Group’s best film honor, beating other entries in Moscow’s main competition. “It’s an independent group of film reviewers,” Jover explained.

“Hamog” previously won the Outstanding Artistic Achievement award in another A-list fest, the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival held in China last June 19.

READ: ‘Hamog’ wins in Shanghai

“Hamog” was an entry in last year’s Cinema One Originals—where it won special jury prize, best actress for Malvar, best supporting actor (Bor Lentejas) and best editing (Charliebebs Gohetia). CDG