PTSD takes center stage in MMFF action-thriller ‘Topakk’

CEBU, Philippines — When the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) kicks off this Christmas, there will be two versions of the action-thriller “Topakk”: an R-16 cut running one hour and 49 minutes, and an uncensored R-18 version with additional two minutes of footage.

Regardless of which version audiences will see in cinemas, the story remains the same: Arjo Atayde plays a former soldier grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as he helps a pair of siblings (Julia Montes and Kokoy De Santos) escape a criminal mafia.

“There’s no difference between the R-16 and R-18 versions,” said director Richard Somes during a press conference, December 14 at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Mactan. “It’s just a matter of how adventurous you are. Both versions were never compromised because the story and build-up are still there.”

Beneath its blood-soaked action and relentless gunfire is an advocacy story highlighting the mental health struggles of those with PTSD, as embodied by Atayde’s character.

“What’s nice about this film is it shows that mental health matters. We cannot see the wounds unless we talk about it. I believe this film brings forward that concept,” said supporting actor Nico Dans.

Somes added, “The reason why PTSD isn’t talked about much in the Philippines is because Filipinos are taught to be resilient. Sometimes, we forget to listen to ourselves and acknowledge our struggles. Rather than focusing solely on being resilient, let’s learn to open up and connect with others.”

As part of the promotion for the film, Nathan Studios (founded by Atayde and his mother Sylvia Sanchez) released a roundtable discussion series titled “Behind the Trigger” on their YouTube channel. It featured the cast and crew discussing the inspiration behind “Topakk” and how mental health plays into the plot.

“We are hoping this film will spark conversations [about mental health], instead of just focusing on blockbuster [numbers],” Montes shared. “We want to promote this advocacy and create awareness that lasts. Hopefully, people will become more mindful and compassionate toward others’ struggles.”

Atayde agreed, saying, “A film lasts a lifetime. That’s one of the reasons we decided to produce this because it has an advocacy. While we may not know every corner of PTSD and there is so much we can do as actors, we really did our research.”

Immersive shooting experience

Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Enchong Dee, Sid Lucero, Bernard Palanca, and Vin Abrenica, the film required its actors to fully immerse themselves in their roles.

Somes emphasized on-location shooting and rigorous action choreography to deliver authenticity and create a captivating experience for the audience.

“We were very particular about the film’s visual language. The actors needed to immerse themselves in the story to make everything feel real and connect visually with the audience,” Somes explained.

“Before we started shooting, I took some of the cast to an abandoned warehouse to familiarize themselves with the setting. Their performances were successful because they were immersed. It’s about producing a world that would be believable for the audience.”

Montes, who performs action sequences in the film, shared that she took inspiration from her idols Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Cruise.

“I want to show that women are fighters too. But in the film, my character is not defined by gender alone – it’s about her fighting to protect her family,” she said.

Levy Ignacio, a veteran actor who has done action films since the ‘90s, praised both Atayde and Montes for their dedication.

“As someone who has worked in action films with females as the stars, Julia is very professional. When people see her scenes, they’ll witness her greatness,” he said. “Even Arjo, you can see his range in both the drama and the action sequences.”

Despite the intense subject matter, the cast found the experience fun and fulfilling thanks to Somes’ enthusiastic guidance.

“I was at a point where I was willing to make mistakes. When I was training on the first day, Direk Somes was there to guide us every step of the way. It wasn’t easy, but I was able to pull it off,” De Santos shared.

Atayde added, “The whole shoot is actually therapeutic despite the film being so heavy. We were blessed with a wonderful cast and crew who gave their all.”

He described the set as having a “bipolar” atmosphere, where intense scenes would quickly shift to laughter once the camera stopped rolling.

“When Direk said cut [after Julia shot an intense scene], we just laughed. It kept us going and helped us give our 100 percent. We were able to finish a beautiful story because of it,” he said.

Montes added, “You cannot be alone when you do action. You have to treat it like a dance. It takes two to tango, so it’s important to be in sync with everyone so that the scenes would be executed well.”

Shot in 2022, “Topakk” premiered the following year at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film Fantastic Pavilion, before making rounds in European and American film circuits.

Co-producing with Nathan Studios and Somes’ Strawdogs Productions is Canada-based Theo and Atlas Productions and FUSEE.

“We’ve been all around Europe and the US with this film. There’s nothing more glorious than bringing your project back home,” Somes said. “We wanted ‘Topakk’ to enter the MMFF since last year and it just so happened that this year is the 50th anniversary.”

Somes also praised Nathan Studios for trying to push boundaries in the Philippine film and television industry.

“The industry needs a producing company like Nathan Studios that can push them to be more visionary in their projects. We need to show that Filipinos can create elevated projects, and I hope ‘Topakk’ is the start,” he said.

The R-16 version of “Topakk” will be screened at SM Cinemas, while the R-18 cut will be available in other cinemas nationwide starting December 25. — (FREEMAN)