Wikipedia

Topakk

Topakk, internationally known as Triggered, is a Philippine action thriller film co-produced and directed by Richard Somes from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jimmy Flores and Will Fredo. It stars Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes and Sid Lucero.[2] The film was first screened at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 and premiered at the 76th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland in August 2023.[3] The film was released theatrically in the Philippines on December 25, 2024, as part of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival.[4]

Topakk
MMFF theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard V. Somes
Written by
  • Jimmy Flores
  • Will Fredo
  • Richard V. Somes
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLouie Quirino
Edited byJamie Dumancas
Music byJose Antonio Buencamino
Production
companies
  • Nathan Studios
  • Strawdogs Studio Production
  • FUSEE
  • Theo & Atlas Productions
Distributed byRaven Banner Entertainment
Release dates
  • August 7, 2023 (2023-08-07) (Locarno)
  • December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25) (Philippines)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino
Budget$650,000[1]

Premise

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An ex-special forces operative (Arjo Atayde) who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder,[5] attempts to save a woman (Julia Montes), whose life is being pursued by a corrupt police death squad working for a drug cartel.[6]

Cast and characters

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  • Arjo Atayde[7] as Miguel Vergara
  • Julia Montes[8] as Weng Diwata
  • Sid Lucero[9] as Romero
  • Enchong Dee[10] as Leon Ramos
  • Kokoy de Santos[9] as Bogs Diwata
  • Paolo Paraiso[11] as Corpuz
  • Vin Abrenica as Sarmiento
  • Cholo Barretto as Aquinta
  • Bernard Palanca as Zarcon
  • Jeffrey Tam as Benjo
  • Michael Roy Jornales as Elton
  • Ivan Carapiet as Patilya
  • Levy Ignacio as Col. Arturo
  • Maureen Mauricio as Nanay Ruby
  • Anne Feo as Mayor Armida 'Bakal' Dominguez
  • Elora Españo as Jane Ramos
  • Gerry Acao as Barako
  • Victor Medina as Ramon
  • Claire Ruiz as Gina Romero
  • Julio De Leon as Diaz
  • Manu Respall as Commander
  • Bong Cabrera as Sct. Ranger Abelardo
  • Rosh Barman as Sct. Guerrero
  • Ivan Rivera as Sct. Ranger Dumagas
  • Ian Lee as Bigote
  • Geli Bulaong as Pinky
  • Kayley Carrigan as Cora
  • Yian Gabriel as Ben Tumbling
  • Nico Dans as Administrator

Production

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Topakk was produced under Nathan Studios along with Fusee, Strawdogs Studio Production and Toronto-based post sound house Theo & Atlas Productions. According to multiple teasers and news sources released in 2020, the film was originally going to star JM de Guzman, but he was recasted for unknown reasons.[12][13][14][15] The film was directed by Strawdogs' Richard V. Somes.[16]

Montes started her immersion training in preparation for Topakk as early as September 2022. Cornerstone Entertainment made the special announcement of the new film on their social media accounts.[8]

The film was revised twice to achieve a more lenient rating of R-16 from the original R-18 rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board for the Philippine-release.[17]

Release

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Topakk casts at the 50th MMFF Parade of Stars (right to left): Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, Arjo Atade and three film crews

Canada-based Raven Banner Entertainment became the global distributor of Topakk in 2022.[16][18] Topakk went on sale at the European Film Market, which is an "annual trade fair held simultaneously with the Berlin International Film Festival or Berlinale for distributors, film buyers, producers, and financiers."[7] Topakk was acknowledged at the Cannes’ Marché du Film for the first time in France, becoming the first Filipino film to qualify under the genre category of the fantastic pavilion of Cannes.[11]

Following the film's gala screening at the Olympia Theater on May 19, Topakk has been sold to Lighthouse (German-speaking territories), Aud (South Korea), Superfine Films (India), Kinologistika (CIS and the Baltics).[10][9] Topakk had its cinematic premiere at the Locarno Film Festival last August 9, 2023, in Switzerland.[19][20][21] Topakk had its theatrical release in the Philippines on December 25, 2024, as part of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival.[4]

Reception

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Critical response

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Topakk cast on MMFF Best Float

The Manila Times writer Tessa Mauricio Arriola opined that Topakk "effectively transcends the boundaries of conventional action films". Arriola also praised Atayde's "career-defining portrayal" and Montes' "force to be reckoned with" performance.[22] BusinessWorld writer Joseph Garcia described the film as "one of the better action films to come out in recent memory",[23] while Mark Angelo Ching of Philippine Entertainment Portal gave the film a positive review, calling it a "visual feast" and praised the performances of Atayde and Lucero with emphasis on Montes, stating that she delivered a "a standout acting performance".[24] Writing for ABS-CBN News, Rhea Manila Santos described the film as a "one heartstopping action ride" and praised the performances of Atayde and Montes.[25]

Kat Hughes of The Hollywood News gave the film three out of five stars, writing: "With such a strong focus on brutality and little space for light, the audience gets the sensation that they themselves have entered a war-zone... Somes’ dedication to the brave pushes his audience into the same head-space and this shared trauma highlights the savagery of war perfectly."[26] ScreenAnarchy's Andrew Mack felt that the film is when "The Night Comes For Us meets Hardboiled", stating that "it may lack the kind of standout villains those other films had, but in way of the setting and the level of violence those films gave us, Triggered is pretty darned close to delivering something similar."[27]

Accolades

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Accolades received by Topakk
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2024 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Richard Somes Nominated [28][29]
Best Actor Arjo Atayde Nominated
Best Actress Julia Montes Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Sid Lucero Nominated
Best Cinematography Louie Quirino Nominated
Best Production Design Richard Somes Nominated
Best Editing Jamie Dumancas Nominated
Best Sound Albert Michael M. Idioma, Janina Mikaela Minglanilla, Andrea Teresa T. Idioma, Jhon Eric Mancera, Donald Ilagan, Gerald Guardiano, Merlvin Rivera Nominated
Best Original Theme Song "Darkness Calls" Nominated
Best Musical Score Jose Antonio Buencamino Nominated
Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence Topakk Won
Best Float Won
Special Jury Prize Won

List of film festivals competed or exhibited

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References

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  1. ^ Reason, Cynthia (August 3, 2023). "Michaelangelo Masangkay's 'TOPAKK' to Mark World Premiere at Prestigious Locarno Film Fest". Toronto Film School. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Frater, Patrick (February 19, 2023). "Raven Banner Pulls 'Trigger' From the Philippines' Richard Somes — EFM". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  3. ^ "Arjo attends 'Topakk' screening at Locarno film fest". ABS-CBN News. August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Metro Manila Film Festival announces last 5 official entries for 2024 edition". Rappler. October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (December 17, 2024). "MMFF 2024 entry 'Topakk' aims to break the silence on PTSD". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Shakleton, Liz (December 18, 2024). "Arjo Atayde Talks Reinventing Philippines Action Cinema In MMFF Release 'Triggered'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes film 'Topakk' for sale at European Film Market". www.philstar.com. February 22, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Pasajol, Anne (September 26, 2022). "LOOK: Julia Montes gears up for new action film with Arjo Atayde, Sid Lucero". Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Bałaga, Marta (August 4, 2023). "Locarno Action Spectacle 'Topakk' Introduces 'Flawed' Hero, Debuts Trailer, Racks Up Sales: 'We Are Doing It the Old-School Way' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Cruz, Marinel (May 26, 2023). "PH action film 'Topakk' screened at Cannes". Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Atayde returns home after Cannes acknowledged Filipino film 'Topakk'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  12. ^ https://www.abs-cbn.com/2020/12/23/fresh-scoops/look-heres-the-first-glimpse-of-jm-de-guzmans-n-190569
  13. ^ "WATCH: JM de Guzman gives action-packed first look of upcoming film 'Topakk'". December 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "TOPAKK Teaser 1". YouTube. March 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "TOPAKK Teaser 2". YouTube. March 12, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Topakk secures Hollywood sales and distribution". Manila Bulletin. November 18, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Aguja, Januar Junior (December 9, 2024). "MMFF thriller 'Uninvited' won't compromise, accepts R-16 rating". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  18. ^ Shackleton, Liz (November 2, 2022). "Raven Banner Boards Filipino Action Thriller 'Trigger' To Exec Produce, Handle International Sales – AFM". Deadline. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Festival, Asian Film (July 5, 2023). "76th Locarno Film Festival – Asian Presence 2023". Asian Film Festivals. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  20. ^ "Topakk". Locarno Film Festival. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  21. ^ "Arjo Atayde's 'Topakk' to premiere at Locarno film fest". ABS-CBN News. July 6, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  22. ^ Mauricio-Arriola, Tessa (December 25, 2024). "An unflinching Filipino masterpiece that hits hard". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024.
  23. ^ Garcia, Joseph (December 29, 2024). "Metro Manila Film Festival 2024: Good looks don't detract from the violence". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  24. ^ Ching, Mark Angelo (December 22, 2024). "REVIEW: Topakk delivers a visual feast, strong acting performances". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on December 23, 2024.
  25. ^ Santos, Rhea Manila (December 25, 2024). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Topakk' is a one heartstopping action ride". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024.
  26. ^ Hughes, Kat (August 27, 2023). "'Topakk' review: Dir. Richard Somes [FrightFest 2023]". The Hollywood News. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  27. ^ Mack, Andrew (September 27, 2023). "Fantastic Fest 2023 Review: TRIGGERED (Topakk), Brutal Action Highlights Flick From The Philippines". ScreenAnarchy. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, 2024 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  29. ^ "LIST: 50th Metro Manila Film Festival winners". The Philippine Star. December 28, 2024.
  30. ^ Hughes, Kat (August 27, 2023). "'Topakk' review: Dir. Richard Somes [FrightFest 2023]". The Hollywood News. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  31. ^ "Triggered | Sitges Film Festival". sitgesfilmfestival.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  32. ^ "Mayhem Film Festival announces full festival line-up". Broadway. September 12, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  33. ^ "Triggered". Fantastic Fest. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  34. ^ "Fantastic Fest 2023 Review: TRIGGERED (Topakk), Brutal Action Highlights Flick From The Philippines". screenanarchy.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  35. ^ "Triggered | Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival". mami.mumbaifilmfestival.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  36. ^ Thessaloniki International Film Festival — Triggered, retrieved November 3, 2023
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