Actor Allen Dizon Receives Best Actor Award for AbeNida at International Film Festival in Italy
Filipino actor Allen Dizon has added another accolade to his list of achievements, winning the Best Actor award for his performance in AbeNida at the 2nd International Imago Film Festival di Civitella del Tronto in Teramo, Italy. The festival, which ran from July 27 to August 3, showcased a selection of international films and recognized outstanding talent from around the world.
Dizon expressed his excitement upon receiving the prestigious Humphrey Bogart trophy, which honors the best lead actor of a foreign movie. He described winning awards as a wonderful surprise and a validation of hard work. For actors, receiving recognition is a reward for sharing their talent with audiences.
The actor specifically highlighted the importance of the International Imago Film Festival. Unlike other online festivals that grant awards monthly and charge entry fees, this festival organized physical screenings, had a respectable jury panel, and hosted a formal awards ceremony. The recognition Dizon received from this particular festival holds more significance due to its prestige and credibility.
AbeNida is a drama directed by Louie Ignacio and loosely based on the story of a sculptor from Paete, Laguna. Dizon revealed that he devoted considerable time to learning about the character he portrayed, engaging in immersion for a few days before filming began.
In the film, Dizon’s character, a woodcarver with mental health problems, experiences devastation when his beloved wife, Nida, leaves him for another man. This leads him to create alternate realities that ultimately destroy his life. However, when his wife returns, he realizes the need to free himself from the destructive relationship. This realization comes with tragedy but ultimately sets him free.
Dizon described AbeNida as his most challenging film to date. He explained that his character’s internalized craziness required calculated movements and clear nuances. Dizon had to ensure that his acting was not over the top. The role demanded subtlety to convey the gradual deterioration of his character’s condition through facial expressions and body language.
Remarkably, Dizon also mentioned a scene in which he had to do frontal nudity. He explained that the scene was beautifully filmed and not offensive at all, emphasizing its artistic nature rather than any explicit intention.
The festival jury praised Dizon’s performance as intense, complicated, painful, yet still credible. They acknowledged his interpretation in AbeNida as a manifestation of true art, skillfully depicting the torment and tormented daily life of a man broken by lost passions and betrayed love. The jury commended Dizon’s silent mimicry, evoking ancient oriental theater traditions and showcasing his crystalline talent.
Produced by BG Productions International, AbeNida also stars Katrina Halili and Gina Pareño. The film delves into themes of mental illness, the repercussions of lost love, and the search for personal freedom.
Allen Dizon’s win at the International Imago Film Festival not only celebrates his outstanding performance but also highlights the talent and creativity of the Filipino film industry on an international stage. His recognition serves as an inspiration to aspiring actors and reinforces the importance of meaningful storytelling.
