Iza Calzado bags the Yakushi Pearl Award for ‘Bliss’
Iza Calzado took home the Yakushi Pearl Award for her acting role in ‘Bliss’ at the recent Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) held on March 11. This is the award given to the most brilliant performer among all the cast members of the competing films.
In her acceptance speech, Calzado thanked Bliss director, Jerrold Tarrog, the film crew, and the other people who chose and supported her and the film. “I share this award with all the other brilliant performers who are part of the other films,” she stated.
This year’s jury members include Malaysian film director Ho Yuhang, Filipina director Monster Jimenez, and Japanese actress Nakanishi Miho.
Directed by Jerrold Tarrog, Bliss narrates the story of 30-year old Jane Ciego who started out in showbiz at a young age. She decides to produce her own film to gain respect in the industry, but all of her plans crash down on her when she was involved in an accident, crippling her. She begins to lose her sanity after encountering people who made her life a nightmare. The film also stars Ian Veneracio, TJ Trinidad, and Michael De Mesa.
Aside from Jarrog’s film, two other Filipino films competed in the festival: Rory Quintos’ Kita Kita and Borgy Torres’ Tisay.
The Osaka Film Festival, which is now on its 12th year, aims to provide opportunities for people to see excellent Asian films, and to support filmmaking in Osaka and in the rest of the Asian countries.
Sources: ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, OAFF
