Nora delves into horror in ‘Dementia’

Superstar Nora Aunor and the cast of “Dementia” met with the members of the media yesterday at the Imperial Palace Suite for the press conference of her latest movie. People have been talking about the film since its trailer was launched and many are saying that Nora came up with another award-worthy performance in the debut film of former TV5 executive Perci Intalan.

Ate Guy said she only saw the full trailer of “Dementia” at yesterday’s press launch, and she was similarly impressed. She even joked that she only had one line in the film and she had a hard time doing it. She praised the work of Perci who used to be her manager in TV5. She also mentioned that the choice of Batanes as location for the film was very apt.

“Bagay na bagay ang location sa pelikula. Talagang madarama mo ang takot at ang tension,” said Ate Guy. In the movie, Nora plays Mara, who is diagnosed with dementia and was brought by her family to her hometown in Batanes in hopes of jogging her memory. But instead of recalling familiar pieces and places, she then starts seeing visions no one else can see. It is only her niece Rachel (Jasmine Curtis Smith) who begins to wonder if what Mara sees is just a by-product of her illness or if there is really something haunting her from the past.

“Dementia” is directed by Perci Intalan, with screenplay by Renei Dimla from the story written by Jun Robles Lana.

All of Nora’s co-stars had nothing but praises for her. The cast – Bing Loyzaga, Yul Servo, Jasmine, Lou Veloso, Althea Vega. Chynna Ortaleza, and Lui Manansala – expressed their love and admiration with the way Nora treated them during filming. She was very warm, friendly and accommodating.  And they all look forward to working with her again.

Released under Regal Films, “Dementia” opens in theaters on September 24.

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Movie queen Susan Roces is this year’s recipient of the Lino Brocka Lifetime Achievement Award from the Entertainment Press Society’s 11th Golden Screen Awards to be held on October 4, Saturday, at the Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

The eternal movie queen was cited by the Golden Screen Awards for her award-winning performances in movies like “Gumising Ka Maruja” as well as her being a top-caliber film producer under her Rosas Productions during its heyday.

Tita Susan, as she is fondly addressed by showbiz folks, is still very active in her acting career, doing shows for the three networks. She is currently in the cast of the top-rating ABS-CBN series “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon” which stars Bea Alonzo and Albert Martinez.

The voting members of the 11th Golden Screen Awards met on Sunday, September 14, at the Dong Juan restaurant (owned by radio-TV host Ahwel Paz) to approve the list of nominees and vote for the winners.

Through a resolution that was approved by the voting members, it was agreed that the number of nominees per category will be limited to five based on the ratings garnered by said actor, film or technical people. Only those who reached the median will make it as finalist.

From close to a hundred films that were shown last year, the Golden Screen Awards shortlisted 40 which was reviewed by the jurors for almost three months. The final tally of scores of the reviewed films were presented to the jurors last Sunday and those who made it to the top five were deemed as the nominees. In case of a tie for the last slot, both movies will make it as finalists.

The complete and official list of finalists will be released this week. Even we at Enpress are likewise excited with the announcement of nominees. Even if we have voted on the winners, we are not at liberty to announce the nominees. We also have to wait for the complete and official list that will come from Lito Manago, the executive chairman of the Golden Screen Awards Screening Committee and member of the Executive Committee overseeing the preparations for the awards night on October 4.

On a personal note but also on behalf of Enpress, we would like to extend our profuse thanks to Papa Ahwel Paz (he is the co-host of Jobert Sucaldito in the radio program Mismo on DZMM Teleradyo) for accommodating us at Dong Juan. Our nomination and voting was held at Dong Juan, located at Mother Ignacia St. in Quezon City. His staff served us sumptuous lunch and overflowing food and drinks last Sunday. Even at such short notice, it was very kind of Papa Ahwel to accommodate the Golden Screen Awards jurors.