Earlier, most critics thought the best actress award would go to veteran French actress Isabelle Huppert for the movie about rape by Director Paul Verhoeven, “Elle” . They felt Jaclyn’s role was quite small. But, speaking for the Cannes Jury headed by “Mad Max” director George Miller, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (“Hannibal”) says: “We found her to be a wonderful leading actress, a master of her skills. It was not a supporting character.”
The best actor went to Shahab Hosseini of the Iranian entry, “The Salesman”, by Asghar Farhadi, who won the best screenplay award. Best picture Palme d’Or winner is “I, Daniel Blake” by British director Ken Loach. The best director award was shared by Cristian Mungiu for “Graduation” and Olivier Assayas for “Personal Shopper”.Jaclyn’s real name is Mary Jane Guck. She’s 52 years old and started her career in 1984 introduced in ensemble films like “Chikas” and “Escort Girls”. Chito Rono launched to stardom in “Private Show”, where she played a torera and won her first best actress award. More awards followed, both for lead actress and supporting roles, in movies like “Olongapo”, “Mulanay”, “Sarong Banggi”, “Flor Contemplacion Story”, “Takaw Tukso”, “Macho Dancer”.
Jaclyn’s win is the biggest acting prize ever won by any local actress abroad as Cannes is considered as an A-lister among international film festivals. When she went up stage, she said: “I don’t know what to say! I’m so surprised!” She said she was just happy to walk on the red carpet with her daughter, Andi Eigenmann, who walked up on stage with Director Brilliante Mendoza. She then called Jaclyn to stand beside her and said: “Thank you Cannes, thank you so much. Thank you to Director Brilliante Mendoza, a brilliant and genius director. I want to share this award with my daughter, Brilliante, with my countrymen, the Philippines!”She said the biggest challenge for her in doing the movie was when Direk Dante told her not to act. “I can’t even wear make up. And it’s hard,especially since I am coming from television shows where I play loud and campy characters."
But her non-acting proved to the best kind of acting for the Cannes jurors. Bravo, Jaclyn! Can’t wait to see your award-winning performance in “Ma Rosa”.
