Child star Barbara Miguel wins Best Actress for ‘Nuwebe’ at Harlem Int’l Film Festival

Barbara Miguel in a scene from 'Nuwebe'.

For her portrayal of one of the youngest mothers in history in the Cinemalaya incest drama, “Nuwebe”, Barbara Miguel was honored with a Best Actress award on Sundat at the conclusion of the Harlem International Film Festival in Harlem, New York.

Described as “a marriage of history to art, and film to one of New York City’s most dynamic communities”, the HIFF honors films that offer “honest, exciting and thought-provoking portrayals of our world by showcasing the best films from around the world”.

Barbara, who was not able to attend the awarding ceremonies, is currently promoting her latest film, “Bamboo Flowers”, an entry to the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival All-Masters Edition directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes.

She is also in the cast of Joel Lamangan’s “Burgos” which is finally set to open in theaters next month.

In an earlier interview with InterAksyon during the Cinemalaya film festival where “Nuwebe” was an entry in its New Breed section, director Joseph Israel Laban said the child actress clinched the title role after an impressive audition during the film’s several casting calls.

“Barbara was a clear standout from the number of auditions we held for the film. She is a brilliant actress. Most young actors can shed a tear or cue or throw a line perfectly, but with Barbara she is not just playing a role, she is the character. When the camera rolls, she seems to inhabit the character of Krista in the film,” Laban declared.

Barbara with 'Nuwebe' director Joseph Israel Laban and co-star Nadine Samonte, at the launch of Cinemalaya in late July.

Aside from its Best Actress win, “Nuwebe” was also nominated for Best World Film in the HIFF where it was flagged as a highlight film in its website and described as “disturbing yet hauntingly cinematic”. It was only one of 65 films from 25 countries and the only Philippine entry in competition for the festival that also served as its US premiere.

So far, the film boasts of having the most number of invitations from international film festivals among this year’s batch of Cinemalaya entries.

After having its world premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival late last month, “Nuwebe” was also screened in the MovieMov Italian Film Festival in Rome that concluded last September 15 and is next headed to the Vancouver International Film Festival scheduled from September 26 to October 11. The film is part of that festival’s Dragons and Tigers general film series.

Laban said two more international film festivals namely the Göteborg International Film Festival in Sweden and the Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh have confirmed “Nuwebe” as an official Philippine entry. The film will be part of the Asian Competition section in Dhaka.

Aside from these festivals, “Nuwebe” — which also stars Jake Cuenca, Nadine Samonte and Anita Linda — has also been confirmed for one more festival in Europe that Laban said he was not yet at a liberty to announce.

Child star Barbara Miguel wins Best Actress for ‘Nuwebe’ at Harlem Int’l Film Festival

Source: InterAksyon.com (September 17, 2013 at 08:58AM)

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