Cannes’ Marché de Film to feature Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes’ ‘Topakk’
The local action-thriller film Toppak secured a spot among the exclusive seven films that will have a grand gala screening at the 2023 Cannes’ Marché du Film Fantastic Pavilion.
Translated to English as Film Market, Marché du Film is among the world’s biggest international film events. It was founded in 1959 and is held annually alongside the renowned Festival de Cannes, or the popularly known Cannes Film Festival in France.
Meanwhile, Fantastic Pavillion is an inaugural portion presented by Marché du Film for the first time this year. According to its site, it is an “exclusive business hub dedicated solely to the advancement of the genre film industry.”
Additionally, executive director Pablo Guisa Koestinger elaborated on the purpose of the Fantastic Pavillion. “We needed space to help newcomers integrate more easily, and faster, into this constantly growing industry,” he said.
Hence, for its debut, Marché du Film presents seven movies showcasing the “latest genre crafted by fresh blood”. One of the chosen entries is the Filipino film, Topakk.
Cannes’ Marché du Film to feature Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes’ ‘Topakk’
Topakk tells the tale of Miguel (Atayde), a former military personnel discharged due to post-traumatic stress disorder. In a stroke of fortune, he finds himself involved in a conflict when a young woman (Montes) implores him for protection. The two will struggle for their survival against a corrupt police death squad.
Aside from Atayde and Montes in the leading roles, Topakk also stars Enchong Dee, Kokoy de Santos, and Sid Lucero. The film is under the executive production of Raven Banner and is helmed by director Richard Somes.
On the other hand, Topakk will be screened at the Olympia Theater on May 18. Consequently, Atayde and Dee will join Somes and other producers of the movie in Cannes for the milestone.
Other films included in the Fantastic Pavilion 2023 are Boogeyman: The Origin of the Myth, While the Masters Sleep, The Bystanders, Departing Senios, Failure, and Sign Here.
