Alessandra "Alex" de Rossi was still raving about her France visit during a recent interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the RAVE Art Gallery along Scout Magbanua in Quezon City.
The Filipino-Italian actress attended the 64th Cannes International Film Festival, held last May 11 to 22, for the screening of her independent film project titled Busong.
Director Auraeus Solito dubbed the film as a "dream project." It tackles the indigenous concept of "instant karma" as shaped by three major environmental issues confronting the province of Palawan: illegal logging, indiscriminate mining, and dynamite fishing.
The film, according to Alex, "moved" the audience who came to watch the one-and-a-half hour film.
For Alex, the significance of the prestigious film festival, along with the rich background of the host country, left a profound impression on her both as an artist and a person.
"Sabi ko nga kay Direk Auraeus yung mga artists na tulad namin dapat once in their life maramdaman nila [yung pumunta sa international film festivals]," said Alex.
"Grabe talaga yung appreciation nila. Siguro yung mga French kasi, tingnan mo kahit saang kanto ka pumunta puro art-art ang nakikita mo. Maski mga building nila walang magkakamukha, di ba?
"Kasi artist silang lahat kahit munting creation lang ng kahit sinong tao na-a-appreciate nila. So yun, masarap ang feeling.
"Sabi ko nga hindi lahat makakarating dito. Ako never ko nga siyang pinagdasal sa buong buhay ko. Ang pinagdadasal ko lang naman is security," laughed Alex who recently decided to move back to GMA-7 after years of being seen in ABS-CBN shows.
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"BREATH OF FRESH AIR." Alex proudly recalled hearing positive comments and reviews from critics and casual viewers after seeing the film in its entirety.
"Bago sa paningin nila yung movie, breath of fresh air, kumbaga," she said.
Joining international film festivals can greatly boost a country's tourism industry. While cinematic concept and technical details matter in the eyes of critics, settings and backdrops are also crucial to enhance a project's overall visual appeal.
Busong incorporates certain production values, like its theme of environmental protection and the breathtaking scenery of Palawan.
"Ang ganda raw ng Palawan!" Alex exclaimed, voicing out the reaction of the foreign viewers.
She added with a laugh, "Sabi ko nga kay Direk, 'Binenta mo masyado yung Palawan! Dapat maging gobernador ka na!"
Being part of the Cannes International Film Festival required Alex and Direk Auraeus to attend press junkets and interview requests from various media outfits.
"'Yung mga French gandang-ganda sa akin! Given na yun kasi nga yung kulay ko," Alex said, referring to her unique Filipino beauty.
"Hinanap ako ng FHM France for an interview. Kasi may shot ako dun na kita ang likod ko akala nila nagbu-boldie-bold ako!"
Gracing the pages of FHM France remains uncertain although the said magazine asked Alex for some unreleased photos to see if they can feature her in an upcoming issue.
"Pinadalhan ko sila ng pictures kaya lang black and white. So hindi ko alam kung magagamit nila. Kung hindi nila type, maghanap na lang sila ng something."
The press interviews were tiring but fun at the same time, said Alex, who is making her return to GMA-7 via the afternoon drama series titled Sinner or Saint (originally titled Sentensyada) (CLICK HERE to read related article.)
She had to muster enough wit, of course, to answer the questions being asked by foreign correspondents from various media agencies.
"Siyempre tawa kami nang tawa kasi off character yung pag-English ko. Tama naman pero talagang nakakatawa lang na marinig na, 'Uy, si Alex pala nag-e-English!'
"Tapos siyempre naloloka sila sa mga sagot ko kasi talaga namang nakakaloka ako as a person.
"Akala ko nga magiging finesse ako pagdating ko dun—hindi ko pala talaga kaya!"
ALL WORK. Alex's six-day stay in France provided little opportunity for her to explore the city and observe the day to day lifestyle of the people residing there.
"Actually, hindi kami lumabas, presscon lang and screening ang ginawa namin dun. Wala kaming pinuntahan. Pati yung mga pinangarap kong ma-meet, hindi ko na-meet," said Alex with a smile.
Incidentally, Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, along with partner Angelina Jolie, was also at the Cannes International Film Festival for the screening of the movie The Tree of Life.
"Si Brad Pitt dapat gusto kong makita kaya lang sabay naman yung screening namin, parehong 10:00 a.m. and alam mo namang puntahan ko pa," Alex said.
The 26-year-old actress jokingly added, "Tumawag naman si Angelina and sabi niya next time na lang daw kami mag-meet."
Seriously speaking, Alex said that it was hard to squeeze in personal activities because of the busy itinerary designed to promote Busong.
"Pagod talaga! Ang dami mong ime-meet na tao. May mga na-meet din kaming producers and na-interview rin ako pala ng FTV [Fashion TV]. In fairness, naloka rin sila sa akin," she chuckled.
We asked Alex if there's a chance for her to do an international film in the future, since she already met foreign producers and directors while in France.
"Hindi ko siya pinangarap," replied Alex after a short pause. "Pero kung bibigyan ako, I'll think about it."
What is sure though is Alex's desire to visit France again as a tourist to fully appreciate the country, which is found on the western part of Europe.
"Gusto kong balikan yung next [Cannes] Film Festival. Kahit wala akong gagawin dun, yung tipong manunood lang ako ng pelikula para naman maranasan ko kung paano, and hindi ako mai-stress na magsusuot ng gown—nandun lang ako para manood," she said.