MANILA, Philippines - Producer na rin ang magaling na aktres na si Cherie Gil. Nag-invest siya ng P1 million sa pelikulang Sonata na isa sa mga kasali sa 2013 Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival Masters Edition na mag-uumpisa sa September 11. Lahat ng mga pelikulang kasali sa Sineng Pambansa ay ipalalabas sa SM theaters from September 11 to 17.
Bukod sa pagiging produ, bida rin si Cherie sa Sonata na dinirek nina Peque Gallaga and Lori Reyes.
“Along with my savings and some financing from my generous ex-husband - violinist Roni Rogoff - I invested my heart and soul into this project. I can relate with Regina (ang character niya sa pelikula na international opera singer na palaos na at wala nang rason na mabuhay) because I’ve really lost my voice in real life. It’s good it’s been restored now after surgery,†kuwento ng magaling na aktres sa presscon kahapon para sa Sonata.
Kinunan ang movie sa mansion kung saan nag-shooting ang multi-awarded classic film nilang Oro Plata Mata noong 1982. “Now, 30 years later, I return to it and it brought back so many wonderful memories. But the house now looks smaller to me, I think lumaki na kasi ako,†kuwento pa ng magaling na aktres na aminadong walang gustong gawin sa buong buhay niya kundi umarte. “I’ve realized that acting is what I really want to do for the rest of my life. And I’m proud of what my brothers and nephews and nieces are doing now,†banggit niya pa na hindi inililihim na 50 years old na siya.
Sinulat ang Sonata ng anak ni Direk Peque na si Wanggo, youngest son ni Direk Peque, na dati palang artista at lumabas sa pelikulang Unfaithful Wife when he was five years old.
Five years ago pa nang lumabas ang idea ng pelikulang ito kay Cherie at Direk Peque. “Five years ago, when Peque and I had one of our bonding moments, I shared some of the struggles I was going through at that time of my life. It is no secret that Peque and I have been friends for many years and have numerous projects together, many of which were major milestones in my career as an actress. It was then that the idea for the film (Sonata) was born. I believe it was also during that time the fire was ignited in me to create and produce stories I wanted to tell through film,†paliwanag ni Cherie sa kanyang pagiÂging producer ng Myownmann Productions Inc. (na kinuha sa family name, Eigenmann –meaning “own man†or freelancer in German).
Kakaibang love story ang pelikulang tungkol sa opera diva (Cherie) na tinamaan ng nervous breakdown na nagkaroon ng connection sa isang bata (na ginampanan ng apo ni Joel Torre) na nagbigay ng kakaibang sigla sa kanyang buhay. Pero may mangyayaring masama sa bata.
Graded A ng Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) ang Sonata.