Raine Cabral Laysico
Felino Dolloso’s warm personality belies his amazing talent. Meeting him on a sunny afternoon with his son, Noah for the premiere of his latest film project, Sushi Noh, I was impressed by his unassuming manner and genuineness.
Sushi Noh, written and directed by Jayden Rathsam Hua, was screened as part of the Accelerator Shorts 1 program at the 2022 Melbourne International Film Festival. Felino plays the part of Uncle Donnie, who is looking after his niece, Ellie, while their parents are away at a conference. It is being billed as a ‘surreal horror film that explores the vivid monstrosities that plague children’s nightmares.’ It pays homage to the rich cultural tapestry found in Asian-Australian myths, folklore, and imagery. Watching the film, Felino brought a certain gravitas to the role with his impeccable timing and judicious execution. The role of Uncle Donnie could have easily been one dimensional, yet Felino, with just a twitch of his brows and an angling of his shoulder, was able to fully flesh out the character. His seasoned approach, restrained where required and outright outlandish during peak intervals, showcases the dynamic crescendo of a master attuned to his craft.
When asked how he landed the role, he humbly spoke of auditioning for it. Inwardly, I was surprised, considering the wealth of his experience. Yet Felino mentioned it as if it was par the course, completely unbothered by having to prove he was the right fit. This sincerity to be collaborative and independent are the attributes I’ve come to admire in the short amount of time I got to spend with the father and son duo.
Digging a little deeper, Felino candidly narrates how he accidentally ended up as an actor. ‘The initial goal was to not attend my classes. I signed up to act in a school play because someone told me, I can go to rehearsals instead of sitting in a classroom. That was a win. Surprisingly enough, I enjoyed it, and so I joined community theatre groups and just kept going from there.’
With decades of experience under his belt, he doesn’t take anything for granted. ‘Most of the roles I’ve played are antagonists, better known as villains. It allowed me to have fun and stretch my creative muscles.’ One can surmise playing a hero is a walk in the park for Felino. He likes to challenge himself and create layers to a character’s personality. On screen, he has a magnetic persona which makes him an effective actor.
Felino has the transformative ability to make you feel something. He is a puppet master able to evoke a whole cauldron of emotions with his performance. His passion, love for his craft and utter authenticity is a joy to behold. It is no surprise why he is highly regarded and celebrated.
When asked why he acts, he succinctly replied, ‘Acting is what makes me happy. The goal is to have fun and follow my passion.’
Follow Felino’s on Facebook and Instagram.
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