Max Eigenmann says acting award in Malaysia is ‘extra special’
Max Eigenmann (left) and Carlo Obispo —MELL NAVARRO
Max Eigenmann, who bagged her first international best actress award for TM Malones’ “Kargo” at the 2023 Asean International Film Festival (Aiffa) in Malaysia, said the recognition was “extra special” because she received it on the eve of the first death anniversary of her aunt, Cherie Gil.
Eigenmann said the award was made more meaningful by the fact that her aunt also won the same award at the Aiffa in 2015, for Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes’ “Sonata.”
“She will always be an inspiration as I continue to explore more opportunities in this profession that I and many of my family members love so dearly,” the actress told Inquirer Entertainment on Sunday, the day after she arrived in Manila from Kuching, Sarawak, where the festival was held.
READ: Cherie Gil, veteran actress, passes away at 59
The biennial film fest also awarded best director to Carlo Obispo for his work in “The Baseball Player.” The film’s lead actors, Tommy Alejandrino and JM San Jose were also nominated for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively.
Important contribution
“These awards celebrate excellence, promote artistic innovation, elevate cultural conversations, and contribute to the overall growth and development of the film industry,” said Obispo when asked how important receiving awards was for him as a director.
This is the second international award for “The Baseball Player,” after it took home the best film trophy at the 2023 Sport International Film Festival in Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia, in June.
Meanwhile, Eigenmann said: “This is my first acting award for my role as Sara in ‘Kargo,’ and of course, I consider this victory important. It was my first time to be invited to Aiffa and that alone was an honor in itself. To be surrounded by so many people from the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) film industry, it was truly a huge bonus and honor to have won best actress there.”
Eigenmann’s Aiffa victory is her third international recognition. She also won best actress at the 2019 Asia-Pacific Screen Awards in Brisbane, Australia, for “Verdict,” and a Jury Award for Performance at the 2023 Los Angeles Asian Pacific International Film Festival Film for “Raging Grace.”
Personal trauma
Eigenmann described “Kargo” as a story “about how our personal traumas can shape our lives and the decisions we make thereafter. It is all about healing the heart from overwhelming grief and immeasurable pain, and how we are able to feel much lighter after we have come to terms with our burdens.”
She said learning the Hiligaynon language for the film proved to be challenging. “I also had to learn how to drive a truck and a motorcycle to prepare for my role,” recalled Eigenmann, whose next project will be the TV series “The Missing Husband,” which will start airing on GMA 7 on Aug. 28.
Inquirer Entertainment asked Obispo to share some of his memorable experiences at the Aiffa event. He said he was interviewed by Malaysian media after the win. “The common question was if I’d be interested in filming in Sarawak. I said, ‘Of course!’ It’s such a charming place with rich culture and interesting places. The people are warm and welcoming. Their food is superb, too,” he recalled.
“The Baseball Player” will be competing at the Awlanda International Film Festival in Cairo, Egypt, in September and at the Milano International FICTS Festival in Milan, Italy, in November, Obispo said. It is also being screened at Sinepop in Cubao, Quezon City, every month. INQ
