While many were celebrating "Ma' Rosa" star Jaclyn Jose's victory as the first Southeast Asian actress to win Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, some critics claimed the jurors got it wrong because the Filipino actress played a supporting character. Jury member Donald Sutherland was quick to respond to the criticisms.
"It's a big-time leading role and the critics are wrong," Deadline quoted Sutherland as saying. He also pointed out "that scene at the end where she's eating," referring to the final scene in Brillante Mendoza's "Ma' Rosa."
Sutherland's fellow jury member Arnaud Desplechin also defended Jose from the critics. The French director and writer said the "Ma' Rosa" star's performance broke his heart.
There are nine members of the main competition jury. Joining Sutherland and Desplechin were "Spider-man" star Kirsten Dunst, "Doctor Strange" star Mads Mikkelsen, Valeria Golino, Laszlo Nemes, Vanessa Paradis, Katayoon Shahabi and "Mad Max: Fury Road" director George Miller, who served as the President.
All of the nine main competition jury members were present during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival opening night gala was held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, on May 11. While carrying a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch, Dunst wore a Gucci gown paired with Chopard jewelry during the night gala, Just Jared reported.
After starring in the sci-fi drama film "Midnight Special," Dunst is set to star in "Woodshock," "The Beguiled" and "Hidden Figures." Directed by Theofore Melfi, "Hidden Figures" stars Dunst with "Empire" star Taraji P. Henson, "Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons andKevin Costner.
On the other hand, Sutherland is set to star in several films after playing Michel Dorn in the series "Crossing Lines." He has finished filming the family drama film "Milton's Secret," which also stars "Furious" star Michelle Rodriguez.
In addition, Sutherland will star in the drama comedy film "Measure of a Man" and the romantic comedy musical "Basmati Blues." The former is directed by Jim Loach while the latter is written and directed by Dan Baron.
Sutherland played President Snow in "The Hunger Games" and reprised the role in the two parts of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." Watch a clip of the "Hunger Games" star and his son Kiefer Sutherland talking about working together for the first time in the 2015 film "Forsaken":