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Brillante Mendoza’s ‘Taklub’ premieres at Cannes, gets rave reviews


Brillante Mendoza (far left) and Sen. Loren Legarda (second from right) led the entourage during the world premiere of 'Taklub' at the 68th Cannes Film Festival on May 19 at the Debussy Theater. Photo from the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda
 
Acclaimed Filipino director Brillante Mendoza's new film has won rave reviews at Cannes, the international film festival that gave him a "Best Director" award in 2009.

"Taklub" tells the story of the survivors of super Typhoon Yolanda that hit central Philippines in November 2013. Topbilled by Filipina actress Nora Aunor, the film is being shown in the Un Certain Regard section.



Since its premiere at the Debussy Theater on Tuesday, the film has received rave reviews from critics.

Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter concluded that the film "could very well head onwards for a long festival run after its premiere at the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes."

While he lauded the work of cinematographer Odyssey Flores, Tsui noted that it was the controlled performance of the cast that propelled the film.

"The Bottom Line: Restrained performances reveal post-trauma stress in a typhoon-swept town," he said.
 
Meanwhile, Maggie Lee of Variety described "Taklub" as an "intimate yet detached portrait" of the Yolanda survivors.

"Shot in a no-frills documentary style that echoes its subjects’ deprivation, the film is at once intimate and detached in its dramatic economy, though the finale will leave many viewers saddened yet humbled," she wrote.

Lee also said that Aunor commanded reverence and stressed the actress' moments of "greater emotional heft" in "expertly restrained scenes."

"Taklub" also received praises from other online reviewers like a Toute La Culture (4/5) and Cinematografo (4.5/5).

The film was produced by Mendoza's Centerstage Productions and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is also backed by Presidential Communications Operations Office-Philippine Information Agency (PCOO-PIA). — BM, GMA News
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