The greatest actress
SHEER TALENT – In the book “Critic After Dark,” Noel Vera writes: “Nora Aunor is arguably Philippine cinema greatest actress.
“But Nora is the greatest, I believe, not only because she had the sheer talent but because she had the opportunity to work with some of the Philippines’ best filmmakers in some of Philippine cinema’s greatest films, producing some of them herself.” This columnist agrees totally.
Vera cites the trilogy “Fe, Esperanza, Caridad,” directed by three major Filipino filmamkers: Cirio Santiago and National Artist Bert Avellana and Gerry de Leon. All three are gone now, but De Leon, before he died, directed Nora in “Banaue,” which the Superstar herself produced.
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OTHER STARRERS – Highspeed recalls other Nora Aunor starrers directed by great and major filmmakers.
Let’s start with Noel Vera’s all-time favorite, Mario O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.”
O’Hara also directed Nora in such memorable films as “Condemned,” “Bulaklak ng City Jail,” “Bakit Bughaw ang Langit,” “Kastilyong Buhangin.” Directed by two National Artists are:
Lino Brocka’s “Bona,” “Ina Ka ng Anak Mo” (with Lolita Rodriguez).
Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala” (voted by CNN viewers as the greatest AsiaPacific film) and “Ikaw Ay Akin” (with Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon). Nora was nominated best actress for “Himala” at the Berlin International Film Festival. The late critic and Urian member Hammy Sotto believed Nora should have won.
The late Gil Portes directed Nora in “‘Merika” and “Andrea.” Elwood Perez’s “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” (with Tirso Cruz 111) is described by critics as the quintessential Filipino melodrama. Joel Lamangan’s “Flor Contemplacion,” “Bakit May Kahapon Pa?,” and “Sidhi.” “Flor” gave Nora the best actress award at the Cairo International Film Festival” (Golden Pyramid). It also won best picture. “Bakit” merited Nora the best actress award (Penang Pearl) from Malaysia International Film Festival. Nora played a deaf-mute in “Sidhi,” written by National Artist Rolando Tinio. Lupita Kashiwahara’s ‘Minsan’s Isang Gamugamo.”
Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb,” where Nora got the best actress award (Golden Eel), as chosen by the independent critics of the Venice International Film Festival.
Nora Aunor is The People’s Artist.