CinemaBravo

Rebecca Chuaunsu has clinched the Best Actress award at the Wu Wei Taipei International Film Festival 2024 for her outstanding performance in Her Locket, ahead of its Philippine premiere via the Sinag Maynila Film Festival, running from September 4-10 in Metro Manila.

The Filipino-Chinese actress and executive producer accepted her trophy during the ceremony held at Westar Theater in Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan.

Chuaunsu’s portrayal of Jewel Ouyang, a woman struggling with dementia while confronting her past, has been lauded by critics and audiences alike.

Her Locket tells the story of a Chinese woman suffering from dementia who gradually recalls memories from her past with the aid of a locket necklace.

When asked during the film’s media conference about her complex character, she shared that the role was particularly challenging due to the demands of portraying dementia authentically.

She said, “I was scared because number one, I don’t have dementia yet. So, I researched and interviewed a lot of dementia patients. Basically, they are my aunties and my older sisters. I talked with them; they did not know I was researching them.”

Additionally, she mentioned the support she received on set.

“Another thing is, I had acting coaches… They were provided by the director to coach me on the set, including the Tagalog diction,” she continued.

Two of the film’s stars, Elora Españo and Boo Gabunada, also shared their insights from working on Her Locket. Españo takes on the role of Teresa, the ambitious caregiver, while Gabunada portrays Kyle, Jewel’s lawyer-son.

Españo said, “Pursue what you want but at the same time you should do it with integrity. As much as possible, follow your dreams but with integrity… iwasang makatapak ng tao.”

(Pursue what you want but at the same time you should do it with integrity. As much as possible, follow your dreams but with integrity… avoid stepping on others.)

As for Gabunada: “…I think, one major thing for me that audiences will be able to relate to is the dynamic of a family. In particular, this family is a broken family, and a lot of things happen within them.

“And, I think by the end baka mapaisip kayo, ano ba yung cost of chasing after justice and how it affects an entire family.”

(And, I think by the end you might ask yourselves, what is the cost of chasing after justice and how does it affect an entire family?)

As a Filipino-Chinese, Chuaunsu expressed her hope for more women to find their voice. “For the Filipino-Chinese community, I like to encourage all women, girls, to voice out your opinions, because your voice matters.”

Also featured in the film are Sophie Ng, who plays the young Jewel, and Benedict Cua, who brings to life the character of young Magnus, Jewel’s brother. Their performances are complemented by the inclusion of actors like Francis Mata, Jian Repolles, and Tommy Alejandrino.

The story of ‘Her Locket’

Jewel Ouyang, a senior Chinese woman, has lost everything—her youth, beauty, popularity, and fortune. Now, with dementia, she lives with her lawyer son, Kyle, and a young caregiver, Teresa, who seems more ambitious than caring.

She finds an old locket that contains a photo of her with her parents and her brother, Magnus. The locket lifts the cloud of forgetfulness, allowing her to recall her troubled relationship with her family, their opposition to her career and love life, her joyful yet tragically short-lived marriage, and her rise to success as an actress, which enabled her to raise her son alone. It also reveals Magnus’ betrayal, tampering with their father’s will to rob her of her inheritance. Seeking vengeance, Jewel faces her brother in court to claim what is rightfully hers. Still inflicted with dementia, will she choose to forgive… and forget?

Production info

Written by J.E. Tiglao and Maze Miranda, the film is directed by Tiglao in his second feature, following his award-winning debut ‘Metamorphosis.’ The assistant director is Roderick Goot, with cinematography by Jag Concepcion, production design by James Rosendal, and line production by Jane Danting. The production team also includes Laugelie Gadon as production manager, Sarah Pagcaliwagan Brakensiek and Ferdinand Lapuz as producers, and Dr. Rebecca Shangkuan Chuaunsu as the executive producer.

Director J.E. Tiglao shares, “Two women want to do something about their memories. One wants to get it back, the other one wants to forget. Both came from experiences of pain and loss. Both are victims of patriarchy under two familial cultures of Chinese and Filipino. However, this is also a restorative story of women who choose not to be silenced, who choose to hold the line. My intention is to portray an empowering tale of feminism in front of a backdrop of conservative milieu.”

Beyond its latest win in Taipei, ‘Her Locket’ has also been showcased at several prestigious international film festivals, including Marche Du Film – Festival De Cannes (2023) in France, London East Asia International Film Festival (2023) in the UK, 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (2024) in Bangladesh, and the Festival International du Film Transsaharien de Zagora in Morocco, where Chuaunsu also won Best Actress.

With Mr. Wilson Tieng of Solar Pictures as founder and Brillante Mendoza as festival director, Sinag Maynila 2024 runs from Sept 4-10 at Gateway Cineplex, SM Manila, and other participating cinemas in Metro Manila. Following its competition in Sinag Maynila, ‘Her Locket’ is set to participate in the San Diego Film Festival (USA) in October 2024.