ARJO ATAYDE Praises JULIA MONTES in Action Film TOPAKK

 

This has been under the wraps for quite a while since they've been looking for an international release for this film a couple months back. They've secured it but kept mum about who had the rights for distributing this new action flick called TOPAKK starring Congressman Arjo Atayde, the very elusive Julia Montes, very talented actor Sid Lucero. This is Directed by Richard Somes who also did several films and TV series on ABSCBN.  We sat down with them after a grueling shoot that afternoon while marveling at their real cuts and bruises which they got from the scenes they did that day.

 Arjo says "JM was supposed to play this role but he wasn't available because of a series he's involved in. TOPAKK is about a guy who has PTSD, in a nutshell, he's a little crazy. But really, if you have this condition, it doesn't automatically mean you are crazy, because there might be reasons why you act a certain way which will be shown on the film. This also talks about how there might be no support system in the military. This is quite a very well thought out concept by our Director Richard Somes, I just feel so lucky to be on board and able to work with some of the best actors and actresses in the country."

 

@kumagcow Some behind the scenes look at TOPAKK with @arjoataydeofficial #JuliaMontes and Sid Lucero #tiktokshowbizreporter #EntertainmentPH ♬ Tuwing Umuulan - Moira Dela Torre

With Nathan Studios, Arjo adds "We do talk about it with the whole family. Before the pandemic, my Mom was really looking forward to putting out quality content by having a production company of our own. This was born out of passion, and Nathan Studios was already involved in Catleya Killer before this project, and much of the projects are under post production, hopefully they will all come out soon. As much as possible, we want to tap the international market first before showcasing it locally. Because I'm in public service, Nathan Studios is handled more by Mom. For creative inputs, suggestions, we try to come up with that. It's a blessing to also work with great directors because they also do that. Richard Somes is a brilliant Director, and he's so intense! He doesn't just do lip service, as you can see during the shoot he's doing everything including stunts and shows us how its done. You'll see him on set and getting wet too, he's not all talk, he knows what he wants and if he sees it on screen that a punch is awkward, you'll have to do it again."

 

Sid Lucero and Director Richard Somes for TOPAKK

He also talked about working with Julia Montes and says "Some actors often say that you'll see a different person here, but you will see a different kind of Julia. The character was specifically made for her, and she had to do a lot of new things in this movie. She really brought her A game, I have worked with her in a series before and I can say, she's going to blow your mind when you watch her in this movie. There also won't be a romantic angle between us, which is something new because it doesn't rely on a love story which is often seen on Philippine cinema. I'm telling you, what she's done in this movie is just over the top. We're so lucky to have Julia in this film!"

We also got to talk to Director Richard Somes and brilliant actor Sid Lucero, who gave us more insight about how this film was made. Listen in!

We also had the opportunity of watching the raw trailer for the film after the shoot, and I must say, you will get quite exhausted on how they tied up the story and action scenes. Hopefully, when this comes out this year, Filipinos would get a glimpse of TOPAKK and see how these fine actors did justice with their roles. Arjo didn't get those Best Actor trophies for nothing. And Julia Montes is just starting to get her face seen on the international stage, people will definitely love her acting prowess because of how genuine she is to this day. Here is also our talk with Arjo that evening.

 

This film also stars Bernard Palanca, Enchong Dee, Kokoy de Santos and a lot of other actors. It's time we get a taste of the action genre once again in cinemas!

Matteo, IC, Bernard and Kuya Kim for SRR XV - Flight666

As part of our Shake Rattle and Roll XV Flight 666 series, we're going to continue the interview we had with the other stars. This time we're going to talk a little more about the plot and the men in this film. Meet IC Mendoza, Kuya Kim Atienza, Bernard Palanca and Matteo Guidicelli.

IC Mendoza, Bernard Palanca, Kuya Kim Atienza and Matteo Guidicelli

Kuya Kim starts by telling us that this flight will have some tragedies, because only a few of them will live. Aside from that, you have the trouble of fighting the hijacker played by Bernanrd Palanca, a bomb inside the plane and some creatures that you'll have to see in the movie. Matteo, IC and Bernard did their own stunts too.

Kim Atienza says "I don't really do movies but I got a call from Roselle and she said if I wanted to appear in a movie. I said if ever I want to do something in a movie I wanted something different. I've always played "Kuya Kim", so when I got to the story conference, this time they gave me the role of "Kuya Tim" the trivia master. Still wearing the khaki shorts, shirt and hat. I'm happy because Kuya Tim will be important in this film because of his knowledge of trivia, he will be sort of a hero and would be able to land the plane. I'm the one who saves most of them."

Bernard Palanca plays the role of Baron. As you may know, this was supposed to be played by Baron Geisler. "It's a blessing, there's going to be some hijacking and I'm doing it. He's not an evil guy but he's just a guy who used to work for the airline. He got fired, wanted revenge. so he tried to get in control of the plane. He didn't know there was something else out there. You guys have to see the film because his character is colorful." says Bernard.

IC Mendoza is going to be very fun in this one. He's playing a gay guy so we're laughing profusely because he just might be getting typecasted for the role. He says "I play the role of Adam, he's gay so it's very challenging, I hope I get to do it well. We just got bumped off the other flight and I'm good friends with Kiray's character. We're stalking a 2 piece band played by Khalil and Yael Yuzon. I was already in that point where I'm getting irritated with Kiray because she's still pushing we follow them even if we have already been bumped off other flights. It's an uglier plane and we waited for hours and I found out there's a hijacker and other forces on this flight, plus a bomb, so imagine how frustrated I was playing a gay guy in this film" he jokes.

Matteo Guidicelli plays the role of Dave. He says "He's a doctor, he's a failure in his job especially giving birth, failure in his marriage too. Fortunately he ends up in a crashing plane with Lovi Poe. She's actually my ex wife. There will be a lot of things happening in this plane. The hijacking alone is a big issue with bad boy Bernard Palanca playing it. The creatures will come out and surprise us. There's going to be more drama and other things happening because this is not just going to be a horror flick. There's going to be a bit of comedy. drama, especially with Bentong, Betong and Kiray. We'll be landing the plane too but a lot of people will die, some may live. So you must watch out for that. It's very nice to share a scene who has never done it before so Lovi is really good in sharing. There's a small love angle, we're ex's so that will come to play."

Some of them are SRR virgins. Bernard and Kuya Kim specifically. When they got the news, they were ecstatic. IC has already done 4 already. He's even won Best Child Actor in his first one. It was really a good thing to be also working with other people from other networks. Bernard says "I've worked with some of them but I haven't worked with Lovi. It was so nice because the chemistry was there. It's so light to work with Direk Perci because he explains it so well. The nice thing about it is we get to shoot inside a real plane. It's tight but it's so good there. We feel so lucky to be part of it."

The last episode in SRR is usually the grandest. They are taking that part. You'll see a ton of stars in a flick that will only run a good 30/45 minutes. It's a highly emotional film filled with terror, some with creatures, you'll be scared but still you'll be more scared because they are contained in a flight so you can't escape. If you want to see something like this in Metro Manila Film Festival, get ready because you're going to be in on something special.

Thank you to Regal Films for letting us get first dibs on this installment of Shake Rattle and Roll XV. Thank you also to these guys who are great interviewees! Wait for more of this film and their interviews right here on KUMAGCOW.COM!

For more information about the movie:

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Khalil, Yael, Kiray, Betong and Bentong for SRR XV - Flight666

We're going to continue our Shake Rattle and Roll XV Flight 666 series with these interviews. We got Khalil Ramos, Yael Yuzon, Kiray, Betong and Bentong on this article. This episode is part of the Shake Rattle and Roll XV they are making for the Metro Manil Film Festival that will be shown this Christmas. Let's start!

Khalil Ramos

Khalil says "It's really overwhelming to be part of this movie. Growing up, I remember watching this every Christmas and now I'm part of it so it's so nice. This is my second MMFF movie, one of two that I did in the past. I play Gino and I'm part of a two man band with Yael of Sponge Cola who plays Ely in the film. I'm the one who holds the phone and camera inside the plane so it's like a Blair witch type of view when you watch it. You're filming everything on the plane so this is different. I think I'm my own cameraman. It's a flight movie but with a Pinoy twist so I'm sure everyone will find it fun. I watched SRR in the past, I remember Richard Gomez, Manilyn Reynes, the recent one with Kathryn. It's a big franchise and I'm happy to be part of it. It's really really nice.