Foreign film critics disappointed over Dolly de Leon Oscar snub

January 25, 2023 - 4:00 PM
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Dolly de Leon
Dolly de Leon in this photo taken by Jojit Lorenzo and shared on her Facebook account on Dec. 19, 2018 (Facebook/dollyedeleon)

A number of foreign critics tweeted that they are rooting for Filipina veteran actress Dolly de Leon for an Oscar nod after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its nominees for its 95th awards show.

The Academy on Tuesday announced who and which are competing for the upcoming Oscars on March 2023 to be held in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.

Among those that got a nomination was Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund’s Cannes-winning satire, “Triangle of Sadness.”

His movie earned Oscar nods for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

However, its critically-acclaimed supporting actress fell short of getting nominated by what is regarded as the most prestigious US-based awards-giving body.

READ: Oscar nominations 2023: nominees for 95th Academy Awards

This was noticed by some film critics who shared their takes on Twitter.

Erik Anderson, founder of AwardsWatch.com and a member of the Hollywood Critics Association, tweeted “BRB” or “Be Right Back” after failing to see Dolly’s name in the Oscar nominees for Best Supporting Actress.

This was his response after initially tweeting the following: “Me to the Academy if they don’t nominate Dolly De Leon tomorrow”

It was accompanied by two juxtaposed stills from “Triangle of Sadness” — one that featured Dolly’s character carrying a rock and Charlbi Dean’s character sitting with her back turned to Dolly.

Anderson went back to his tweet after the Academy revealed its nominations with an internet abbreviation.

Film critic Guy Lodge, who critics for Variety, The Observer, The Guardian and other publications, also shared his thoughts.

“Glad that Triangle of Sadness did as well as I suspected it would, though it makes Dolly de Leon’s miss in Supporting Actress especially cruel,” he wrote on Tuesday.

Guy also said he was “most disappointed” in the Academy for failing to nominate the Filipina actress, along with Till’s” Danielle Deadwyler and the South Korean romantic thriller “Decision To Leave.”

Huffington Post UK entertainment editor Daniel Welsh likewise said she was “disappointed” at the awards-giving body for failing to recognize Dolly.

“Unfortunately, the Best Supporting Actress category is — as ever! — a particularly stacked one, meaning one of our top picks didn’t end up making the cut,” she wrote in her article.

“Dolly De Leon truly stole the show in the latter half of Triangle Of Sadness, and although the film itself picked up a string of nominations, we were disappointed to see that Best Supporting Actress was not one of them,” Daniel added.

“Baby Driver” and “Last Night In Soho” director Edgar Wright also quipped of “writing Dolly De Leon” in his ballot.

TV writer and actor Chris Schleicher likewise shared his thoughts after the Oscar nominations by referencing a “Triangle of Sadness” scene featuring Dolly’s character.

“If Dolly De Leon rushes the stage with a big rock right now, she would be justified…” he tweeted.

Filipina-American actress Giselle “G” Töngi was also among those who commented on the nominations.

“No, Dolly De Leon is trending on Twitter verse. @TheAcademy
nominated the picture, the director and the screenplay of #TriangleOfSadness but not the person who clearly carried the film through her luminous breakout performance. SMH,” she tweeted with a facepalm emoji.

“SMH” is short for “Shaking My Head.”

Dolly, meanwhile, responded to a Filipino fan who had fervently hoped for her Oscars nomination.

“Lord, kahit ‘wag na ako mag-jowa, i-nominate at ipanalo [niyo] lang si @DollyEdeLeon sa @TheAcademy #Oscars2023,” architect Path Carcer tweeted.

“At least now magkaka-jowa ka na,” the actress responded on Wednesday with a praying hands emoji.

ALSO READ: Dolly de Leon shares fighting chance in Hollywood amid buzz on possible Oscar nom

The Academy is considered the world’s preeminent movie-related organization which compromises more than 10,000 accomplished individuals in the cinema.

It gives out awards for artistic and technical merit primarily in the American film industry.

Acclaims 

Dolly has earned acclaim for her breakthrough performance in the film where she portrayed the role of Abigail, an initially mild-mannered toilet manager who becomes a ruthless survivalist after leading privileged cruise ship passengers stranded on a desert island.

Variety awards guru Clayton Davis previously predicted that the Filipina “could be the frontrunner walking into awards season” for her breakout role.

The entertainment publication also called Dolly’s performance “scene-stealing” and that “her every line has so far prompted cheers in press and public screenings alike.”

“Her story is just one part of Östlund’s searing commentary on privilege, greed and power — but Abigail’s power play, exquisitely brought to life by de Leon’s deadpan delivery, is what audiences will remember,” the Variety said.

The following are Dolly’s accolades in the international movie scene so far:

Nominations

  • 80th Golden Globe Awards — Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
  • 76th British Academy Film Awards — Best Supporting Actress
  • 4th DiscussingFilm Critic Award — Best Breakthrough Performance
  • 27th Satellite Awards — Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • 2022 Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Film Awards — Best Supporting Actress
  •  2022 UK Film Critics Association Awards — Supporting Actress of the Year
  • 2022 Online Association of Female Film Critics Awards — Best Supporting Female
  • 21st Columbus Film Critics Association Awards — Best Supporting Performance
  • 2022 Portland Critics Association Awards — Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • 2022 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards — Best Supporting Actress

Wins

  •  2022 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards — Best Supporting Performance
  • 58th Guldbagge Awards — Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • 2022 Middleburg Film Festival — Breakthrough Performance Award
  • 4th North Dakota Film Society Awards — Best Supporting Actress

Rankings 

  • 57th National Society of Film Critics Awards — Third runner-up for Best Supporting Actress