Movie 'Her Locket' on Fil-Chi woman with dementia hits PH cinemas

FROM LEFT: 'Her Locket' executive producer Rebecca Chuaunsu with cast members Sophie Ng, Boo Gabunada, and Francis Mata.

Filipino movie "Her Locket" that's 32 years in the making and inspired by true-to-life events will have a nationwide theatrical release by Jan. 22.

At a screening held recently at Fishermall in Quezon City, producer and award-winning lead actress Rebecca Chuaunsu revealed the movie was borne the moment her late father wrote his last will and testament several decades ago.

"And it took me 50 years of acting lessons to prepare for the role," the University of the Philippines alumna added.

The story of "Her Locket" revolves around the life of a Chinese woman suffering from dementia. With the aid of a locket necklace, she is able to gradually recall bitter sweet memories.

Rebecca revealed some of the personal difficulties she underwent throughout production.

"We brainstormed the storyline during the pandemic via Zoom," she said. "During the principal photography, my husband was diagnosed with illness. On the last day of editing, he was rushed to the hospital."

Sadly, her husband passed away during post-editing. 

"This is a very sentimental film to me because of the rollercoaster ride (of emotions I went through)."

The family drama garnered eight awards - - Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Ensemble Acting -- at Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024. 

Rebecca won two (2) international Best Actress awards -- from Festival International du Film Transsaharien de Zagora in Morocco (held in 2023) and Wu Wei Taipei International Filipino Film Festival in Taiwan (held Sept 1, 2024).

The film also boasts of Elora Españo (as Teresa, the caregiver); Boo Gabunada (as Kyle, lawyer-son of Jewel); Sophie Ng (young Jewel); and Benedict Cua (young Magnus, brother of Jewel). 

 

Completing the roster of cast are Francis Mata, Jian Repolles, Tommy Alejandrino, Zoey Villamangca, Norman Ong, Nellie Ang See, Angela Villarin, Ashlee Factor, Matthew Seaver Choy, Roberto Uy Kieng, George See, Rolando Inocencio, Atty. Kesterson Kua, Atty. Allan Jao, and Dr. Philip Tan Gatue. 

"Her Locket" is in competition at the Jagran Film Festival in India. It covers18 cities, which started from Delhi and traveling through Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bareilly, Dehradun, Hisar, Ludhiana, Patna, Ranchi, Siliguri, Gorakhpur, Raipur, Indore, and Darbhanga, culminating in Mumbai (Dec. 2024 - March 2025).

The award-winning film has also participated in Marche Du Film - Festival De Cannes (2023) in France; London East Asia International Film Festival (2023) in UK; 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (2024) in Bangladesh; and San Diego Film Festival USA (2024). 

"Her Locket" is a pre-Chinese New Year offering by Rebecca Chuaunsu Film Production in cooperation with Rebelde Films.

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