(From left) Sophia Ng, Rebecca Chuaunsu, and Zoey Villamangca. Image: Courtesy of Rebecca Chuaunsu Film Production
Rebecca Chuaunsu, lead actress and executive producer of “Her Locket,” said the film touches on many topics familiar to the Filipino-Chinese community such as gender equality and inheritance issues. Despite this, she hopes that it will remind the public about the importance of women having a voice.
The film tells the story of the elderly Jewel Ouyang Nicolas (Chuaunsu) who’s stricken with dementia, resulting in many dysfunctional relationships with her household helpers. This led to her son Kyle (Boo Gabunada) settling for Teresa (Elora Españo) despite his initial doubts about her inexperience.
Jewel and Teresa form a special bond along the way, with the elderly woman relying on her locket as a source of remembering her memories. Among her unforgettable memories of her youth (portrayed by Sophie Ng) include her family’s disdain for her Filipino partner (Tommy Alejandrino) and her strained relationship with her ahia or older brother Magnus (Francis Mata and Benedict Cua).
“There are many subjects here that are taboo, such as gender equality, women empowerment, and inheritance issues,” Chuaunsu said of the film during a talkback session in Quezon City.
“This is not only for rich families but also for the middle class. The message we want to bring to the audience is a woman has a voice. And the voice needs to be heard,” she continued.
What actress-producer intended to be a “revenge film,” as she mentioned in previous reports, turned out to be a recollection of her parents’ memories, particularly on “compassion.”
“This movie started as a revenge film. But along the way, I read the diaries of my Dad and Mom. There were 32 years of diaries, and there was something written about mercy and compassion,” Chuaunsu recalled while sharing that one of her inspirations in the film was her working relationships with Richard Yap, the late Mother Lily Monteverde, and her daughter Roselle.
Cast of “Her Locket.” Image: Courtesy of Rebecca Chuaunsu Film Production
“After [working with] Richard Yap in one project and along the way, I saw how Mother Lily and Roselle Monteverde worked and I was inspired by them to produce my own movie blending Filipino and Chinese cultures,” she said.
“I brought this to different parts of the world and I hope people will appreciate it. This is a small film but we want to impart our message,” she continued.
“Her Locket” was screened at the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival, Transsaharien International Film Festival, Marché du Film–Festival de Cannes in France, 2023 London East Asia International Film Festival, and 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival.
It is set to be released in Philippine theaters on January 22.