Cannes Best Actress, Jaclyn Jose uses film to advocate against drugs, corruption

Through her portrayal as Rosa - a drug seller entangled in bribery with the law enforcement - Jose hopes it will shed light to the problem that has been going on for decades.

“I really like my character Ma’ Rosa. It gives an inspiration for me to at least, show the world that there is Ma' Rosa existing and the director (Brillante Mendoza) and I hope that we can do something about this," she said during a Q&A session after a special screening of Ma' Rosa recently.

In the movie, Rosa portrays a mother of four who makes ends meet by running a small grocery store somewhere in the Manila slums. Due to hardship, Rosa and her husband become drug dealers, which has effectively become a means of laundering the cash income.

After getting caught by the authorities, Rosa’s children had to find ways to free their parents. The plot thickens especially after corrupt cops were hot on their heels.

“I don't want some family experiencing what Rosa’s family when through during the last scene.

“I want drugs, crimes and corruption to stop for the future generation. It has been there since I was a little girl. For the sake of our children, it must stop,” said the 53-year-old actress.

Budgeted at USD$200,000 (approximately RM800,000), Ma' Rosa has thrilled international audiences in Cannes, last year.

Ma' Rosa offers a simple and straightforward storyline. Set in the background of slums in the Philippines, the film zooms in on the ugly truth about the back alleys of the Philippines where drugs, crimes and police corruption are thriving.

Her convincing portrayal of a desperate mother and wife trying to escape the atrocity of the authorities earned the prestigious Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival – a first for a Southeast Asia actress - in 2016.

"I am under contract with a TV network in the Philippines, so I am not 'more expensive' after the win,” she joked before continuing, "I am not choosy (in her roles), but I love challenging myself in playing different kind of characters."

When asked how Asian actresses can win at international awards, her simple advise is that they must live and breathe their characters.

"You have to be the character. You have to set aside who you are and love the character.

“You have to believe you are the character.

Ma’ Rosa will be screened at GSC International Screens starting Thursday (March 9). Ma' Rosa is exclusively brought to Malaysian audiences by Astro A-List (Channel 456).

Astro A-List will also be hosting five award-winning directors from Southeast Asia on its SEA Director Focus, a programme that offers viewers an in-sight into the creative minds of these geniuses and what makes them tick.

This will also include an interview Ma’ Rosa director, Brillante Mendoza.

April 5: Pimpaka Towira (Island Funeral)

April 19: Bardley Liew (Singing in Graveyards)

May 3: Brillante Mendoza (Ma’ Rosa)

May 17: Davy Chou (Diamond Island)