FIRST MOVIE pa lang ni Jasmine Curtis Smith ang Transit. Pero agad-agad ay nanalo siya rito ng award bilang Best Supporting Actress sa katatapos na Cinemalaya Independent film festival.
“It’s really so overwhelming for me,” masayang pahayag ni Jasmin. And I’ve been so thankful that I’ve been part of it.
“You know, firstly being chosen as Yael (her charatecr in the movie). And being able to experience making a film. And whether or not there’s an award, I’ll be extremely happy for being a part of such a wonderful movie.”
Humakot ng awards ang Transit sa New Breed category ng Cinemalaya. Bukod sa Best Supporting Actress, wagi rin si Irma Adlawan bilang Best Actress, at ang first time director nitong si Hanna Espia bilang Best Director.
Kabilang sa iba pang parangal na napanalunan ng pelikula ay ang Best Acting Ensemble (para sa lahat ng cast), Best Editing, Best Cinematography, at Audience Choice.
“For the movie to have won so many awards, it just hoes to show that it was such a worth-while movie for everyone to really see. Everyone who came to the festival.”
Marami ang bumilib kay Jasmine na nakaarte siya nang buong husay na Hebrew ang kanyang dialogue sa buong pelikula.Role ng isang anak ng Filipina OFW sa isang Iraeli ang ginampanan niya.
“We have a tutor that we were in contact with before we went to shoot in Israel. At nang nando’n na kami, it was easier to gauge the accent and the fluidity of how people really speak the language.
“So parang… we were taking chances also. On the set, we have a tutor also who help us. Mahirap mag-deliver ng Hebrew line habang umaarte. Kasi sabay siya, eh.
“If you can’t say your lines in Hebrew, hindi mo rin magagawa ang pag-arte mo. Parang it will stop you from delivering. But you know, it was a challenge that I was able to overcome.”
After winning an acting award, nakakaramdam ba siya ng pressure ngayon? Dahil siyempre, mas tataas ang expectation sa kanya as an actress.
“It’s a pressure. But it’s also an inspiration. Because you know now people are gonna start really looking at how I act. And how I’ll take this award and put it into usein all the projects that I’ll have after it.
“But at the same time, it’s also an inspiration because I never really used to think na… you know, marunong akong umarte na parang okey lang.
“And it makes me happy na while we were shooting, wala kaming acting coach. And I was still able to deliver my best. And be recognized by such a prestigious body of judges in Cinemalaya.”
Award-winning actress ang kanyang ate na si Anne Curtis. Ang biruan, kanino pa ba raw magmamana si Jasmine kundi sa kapatid niya?
“I think it also helps that she’s been in the industry longer than I have. Kasi siyempre, nakakuha agad ako ng tips on how to act a certain way. And how to deliver lines.
“Although… she has done more of mainstream movies. And it’s a whole different industry.
“It still helps. All the acting tips that she gave me. Naa-apply ko siya.
“And advantage para sa akin, eh. To have her. So I think that also contributed a lot on how I gave life to Yael,” pagtukoy pa ni Jasmine sa ginampanang karakter sa Transit.
Rubbing Elbows
by Ruben Marasigan
