La Aunor by Aguiluz and Alix

NORA Aunor with director Adolfo Alix Jr COURTESY OF ADOLFO ALIX JR./Photo by Arnold Almacen

Dubbed the country’s Superstar, actress Nora Aunor gets the full indie treatment in not just one but two coming films, directed by alternative cinema stalwart Tikoy Aguiluz and young turk Adolfo Alix Jr.

Aguiluz collaborated with Aunor in the historical epic “El Presidente,” starring ER Ejercito as Emilio Aguinaldo and the actress as his second wife, Maria Agoncillo.

Contrary to rumors, Aguiluz asserted, Aunor was a complete professional on the set, “arriving on time, always prepared.”

Moreover, noted Aguiluz, she assumed the role of movie workers’ champion. “She asked that her last pay check be given in cash so she could share some of it with them.”

“El Presidente” is set for release next year.

Aguiluz has started working on a La Aunor documentary, too. “I’m half-way done with interviews,” he reported.

He found her reminiscences fascinating, he said. “One time someone named Guy texted me. I texted back: What’s your surname? She replied: Villamayor. It was her pala.”

Aunor is one of two lifetime achievement honorees at this year’s Cinemanila, established by Aguiluz. He noted: “She is an internationally acclaimed artist. Her film ‘Himala,’ directed by Ishmael Bernal, was voted the best Asian film of all time in a CNN poll. She also won best actress at the Cairo fest for Joel Lamangan’s ‘Flor Contemplacion Story.’”

On Friday, Aunor received her trophy during the opening ceremony of Cinemanila (ongoing at the Market! Market! in Taguig until November 17).

Dream actress

Aunor is a dream actress for Alix, another internationally lauded filmmaker. He will direct her in the indie drama, “Mater Dolorosa.”

“I watched her films when I was young,” Alix recounted. “I loved her work in Lino Brocka’s ‘Bona’ and Bernal’s ‘Himala.’ Her eyes always fascinated me.”

“Mater Dolorosa,” written by Jerry Gracio and line-produced by Evelyn Vargas, chronicles the downfall of a family of gangsters.

“I hope to show a different Nora in this film,” said Alix.

Nora will share the screen with perennial costars Anita Linda (Mario O’Hara’s “Bakit Bughaw ang Langit”) and Vargas (O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos,” Brocka’s “Bona”), and a new breed of awarded actors led by Sid Lucero and Alessandra de Rossi.

Alix feels it’s important to introduce Aunor to today’s cineastes.

“Every director, especially those from my batch, dreams of working with her,” he said.

Vargas was instrumental in signing up Aunor, who is her kumare. “My daughter Bianca is her goddaughter. She will finance this film, under NV Productions.”

“Mater Dolorosa” starts shooting later this month.