#BrillanteMendozaFilmFestival Featured Taklub at SM City Masinag

In the world of movie, there are people who are really driven, like the brilliant filmmaker and film-director, Brillante Mendoza.
There is no denying about his desire to be in charge, from where to place the actors to how to organize everything so as to best convey the writer's objective.
He wanted control and authority for his visions and great written works to come to life.

As you all know, Direk Brillante Mendoza is the first ever Asian to win the prestigious best director award at the Cannes Festival and most recently, his latest film Ma'Rosa was in the main competition of the same festival in which Jacklyn Jose obtained the best actress award.
He also made history by directing the recent SONA of the newly elected president Rodrigo Duterte.
I had the rare opportunity to meet Direk Brillante Mendoza up close during the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival held at SM City Masinag recently.
The afternoon event showcased how the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival has evolved through the years, which began 6 years ago.
The Festival had students at its primary audience, paving the way for a new generation of film enthusiasts.

They started showcasing 4 of Brillante's films to students all over the country. Another milestone was the Brillante Mendoza Film Appreciation workshop of the multi-awarded film Taklub in which we were shown how our kababayans in Leyte survived the super typhoon Yolanda. Taklub was released two years ago and finally I got to see it after the presscon.

Taklub was done only in 12 days (created in 6 months) and it was not easy for Direk to shoot the film. Most of the people who took part in the movie were the actual survivors and victims themselves.
Usually in the movie industry, they would provide script for actors. But not for Film-director Brillante. The filmmaker wouldn't let his actors memorize the lines, in fact, he made clear that he wanted his actors to deliver their lines spontaneously. Research is the key factor to deliver the lines well.
His purpose always is to work well together with his actors to flesh out the characters being portrayed. Exploring the lines together so as to develop a profound understanding and bringing the characters to life.
With Taklub, he wanted to educate the audience. Truly, film's a powerful medium.
He helped hone his actors' performances to be able to make a huge impact to people.

Direk Brillante Mendoza has also teamed up with Max's restaurant in creating 4 short films to mark their milestone in the food business. Everyone at the launch got teary-eyed after seeing the short film "Debut" which was about the remarkable love of a father to his daughter. I was speechless in all honesty.

The festival was attended by prominent members of the local community-government officials, school officials and student, film enthusiasts as well.

The Brillante Mendoza Film Festival is one of the many exciting projects of the SM Malls and cinemas.

Taklub Synopsis

Taklub is a story of three major characters Bebeth, Larry and Erwin, whose lives intertwine after the Super typhoon Haiyan caused the city of Tacloban to its horrendous state leaving the 
breathing figures in search of their dead ones, of keeping their sanity intact, and protecting what little faith there may be. 
Bebeth (Nora Aunor) searches for the remains of her three children in the hopes that any identified records could match a DNA test from those buried at the mass grave. 
Larry (Julio Diaz) lost his wife, consoles himself by joining a group of devout Catholics carrying a life size cross 
around the city. 
Erwin (Aaron Rivera) and his elder brother try to hide the truth of their parents’ death from their little sister. 
As if grieving from the lost of their loved ones is not enough, a series of turn of events - man made and natural, continue to test the endurance of  the characters along with the rest of the people, awaiting for a time to wipe those slow repugnant tears.