All this wild (not small) talk about a film called “Triangle of Sadness” and how Filipino indie actress Dolly de Leon shone or outshone her foreign co-actors in the film finally saw fruition on Nov. 17 when the movie finally premiered in Manila. Its showing is courtesy of TBA Studios, which is exclusively distributing the film in the Philippines.

Triangle, named 2022 Cannes filmfest Palme d’Or winner, kicked off the Quezon City International Film Festival at Gateway Cinema in Cubao amid high expectations of Ms. De Leon’s much talked about, much praised acting. She didn’t fail us.

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Director Ruben Ostlund’s Triangle of Sadness is an internationally co-produced satirical film revolving around the guests and crew of a doomed cruise ship whose social roles are reversed, turned upside down following a sea mishap. In an instant, the rich and famous find themselves at the mercy of those from the lower class, who teach them how to survive in such an extremely difficult situation, minus food and amenities.

Comes now the triangle symbolism in society, with the powerful, ruling class at the apex. Yet, unforeseen circumstances can lead to the so-called inverted pyramid (as in journalism), wherein rich and poor exchange positions. During a crisis, the poor climbs on top to shepherd the rich, who regains their post quickly when the coast has cleared.

Life isn’t always fair.

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Dolly, as the cleaning lady Abigail, becomes the poster girl for survival of the fittest. Now, she’s being hailed as the film’s breakout star.

A different, off-beat sort of black comedy, the film’s portrayal of Filipinos may be deemed left-handed, if not downright derogatory, as they are pictured to be opportunists, if not cheaters or thieves. Yet, that is up for the kind viewer to judge or acknowledge.

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In a review, Pablo Tariman called Triangle of Sadness a deeply engrossing black comedy on the rich and famous, a timely award-winning satire.

Screenwriter Eric Cabahug raves furthermore on Dolly de Leon’s performance. He wrote on Facebook: She practically only appears in the movie’s last third but it’s enough for her to run away with the entire film. Her final sequence, in which she registers a tidal wave of emotions from excitement to despair to rage without saying a lot of dialogue, is incredible and indelible.

For her role in the film, Dolly de Leon was named by Variety as among the top three contenders for the best supporting actress category at the Oscars. We do hope she winds up in the final nominations list, which could be a first for the Philippines, especially if she wins. Triangle of Sadness opens in local cinemas starting Nov. 30.