John Arcilla, Dennis Trillo almost tied for best actor in Venice, jurors say

John Arcilla and Dennis Trillo. Image: screengrab from the official trailer of “On the Job: The Missing 8” via YouTube/Reality Entertainment

The jurors of the Venice International Film Festival, where John Arcilla was recently awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, wanted him and co-star Dennis Trillo to both win for their performances in Erik Matti’s “On the Job: The Missing 8.” But of course, there could not be a tie, and Arcilla eventually emerged as the winner.

This was among some of the stories shared by the film’s producer, Quark Henares, on his Twitter page today, Sept. 15. Henares went to Venice with Matti and Trillo to represent the film and eventually to receive the award for Arcilla, who is in a lock-in taping in Ilocos Sur for the TV series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”

Henares narrated how he and Trillo approached the jury director, “Parasite” filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, to have Trillo’s “Parasite” storyboard book autographed. At this point, the director recognized Trillo and motioned to his fellow judges, who then acknowledged and heaped praises on the actor.

But me being expert stalker didn’t want to take any chances so I dragged Dennis to him and yelled “director bong! I produced On The Job and this..”
Bong’s eyes lit up and he told Dennis he loved his performance, which surprised me because Dennis is hardly recognizable in the film pic.twitter.com/iKcI3NRPLl

— Quark Henares (@quarkhenares) September 14, 2021

“Cynthia Erivo told him she thought he was excellent (and holy shit C.E. is herself one of my favorite young actresses) and Sarah Gadon delightedly said he looked so different,” Henares said.

Bong then motioned to the jury members and they all excitedly swarmed Dennis. Cynthia Erivo told him she thought he was excellent (and holy shit C.E. is herself one of my favorite young actresses) and Sarah Gadon delightedly said he looked so different. pic.twitter.com/saB0k53w09

— Quark Henares (@quarkhenares) September 14, 2021

“Chloe Zhao then told Dennis that they really wanted a tie but Venice wouldn’t let [it],” he added, showing a video of the “Nomadland” director talking about Arcilla and Trillo. “She said she googled [Trillo] because she thought he was a real prisoner only to find out he was a matinee idol of some sort.”

Chloe Zhao then told Dennis that they really wanted a tie but Venice wouldn’t let him. She said she googled him because she thought he was a real prisoner only to find out he was a matinee idol of some sort. pic.twitter.com/3MCpL3an8n

— Quark Henares (@quarkhenares) September 14, 2021

Another delightful moment with Bong Joon-ho that Henares narrated was when the makers of “Happening,” the Golden Lion (Best Picture) winner, arrived at the dining hall.

“Everyone applauded and looked at them,” he said. “As soon as they passed our table, BJH turned back to us and said ‘Ok. Now we can continue talking about ‘On The Job.’”

When the golden lion winner came in, everyone applauded and looked at them. As soon as they passed our table, BJH turned back to us and said “ok. Now we can continue talking about On The Job” pic.twitter.com/Aj55NOzduN

— Quark Henares (@quarkhenares) September 14, 2021

“But every time we’d bring up his films or the other festival films, he’d politely answer and turn the topic back to On The Job. He seemed to really love the film. He left after a while to do Jury President duties but stopped by before leaving to give [Erik Matti] a hug.”

But every time we’d bring up his films or the other festival films, he’d politely answer and turn the topic back to On The Job. He seemed to really love the film. He left after a while to do Jury President duties but stopped by before leaving to give @ErikMatti a hug ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8RaqMhJo9M

— Quark Henares (@quarkhenares) September 14, 2021

Arcilla’s win makes him the first Southeast Asian actor to win at Venice. Prior to this, the seasoned actor also earned widespread acclaim for his lead role in “Heneral Luna” in 2015. As far back as the 1990s, he was awarded a Gawad Urian for “Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin.”

Meanwhile, Trillo has received FAMAS nods for his performances in “Felix Manalo” and “Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita.”

Arcilla and Trillo are part of a stellar cast for the film. Their co-stars include Christopher de Leon, Dante Rivero, Leo Martinez, Andrea Brillantes, Lotlot de Leon, Agot Isidro, Joey Marquez and Rayver Cruz.

After its Venice premiere, “On the Job: The Missing 8” will debut on HBO Go as part of a miniseries that includes the first “On the Job” movie of 2013.  /ra

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