Filipino advocacy film “Taklub” bagged a special citation award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival held in France.
Directed by internationally-recognized Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, the film “Taklub” was granted the Ecumenical Jury Prize – Special Mention for its “sensitive portrayal of individuals and communities working for life in the midst of suffering and death in the shadows of natural catastrophes in the Philippines.” It was first shown under the film festival’s Un Certain Regard category.
Starring Filipino film icon Nora Aunor, Taklub portrays the survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda” which destroyed thousands of lives in the Eastern Visayas as they try to rebuild their lives amid their loss. The award cites Mendoza’s depiction of real life drama and his ability to include disaster risk reduction safety measures among the scenes including prompt evacuation and early warning systems. The filmmaker shares that the film was formerly envisioned to be a documentary project focusing on how Filipinos can be more prepared for natural calamities.
The movie was also highly acclaimed by the international media including the Vogue Magazine, Italian critics Toute La Culture and Cinematografo.
Taklub had its red carpet premiere in the Philippines last June 3 during the 20th French Film Festival gala night at Greenbelt, Makati. The event was attended by director Mendoza, actress Aunor, principal advocate of the film Senator Loren Legarda, and the French Ambassador Gilles Garachon.
