QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje expressed elation over the Yolanda-inspired movie “Taklub” winning a special award in the recent Cannes Film Festival in France.
In its website, the Ecumenical Jury at the 68th Cannes Film Festival awarded “Taklub” the Special Mention “for the sensitive portrayal of individuals and communities working for life in the midst of suffering and death in the shadows of natural catastrophies in the Philippines.”
Paje was hoping the film, which was co-produced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, would help spread awareness of climate change and the need to adapt to the global phenomenon.
He decribed the movie — directed by acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza and starred by multi-awarded actress Nora Aunor — as a realistic depiction of the devastating effects of climate change on the natural and human environment.
“We see ‘Taklub’ as one of those movies that have the power to change the way we see the world and inspire all of us to take action on the critical issue of climate change,” Paje pointed out.
“The film depicts the catastrophic aftermath of what has been dubbed as one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, which is a stark reminder of the need for swift and strong global climate action,” he added.
Yolanda killed at least 6,000 people and displaced four million when it struck in November 2013.
The victory of “Taklub” in Cannes comes a few months before the much-anticipated United Nations meeting in Paris in December in which countries will try to reach and sign a new international climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol.
“Taklub,” which follows the intersecting lives of three Yolanda survivors, won the Ecumenical Jury Prize-Special Mention at the world’s most prestigious film festival.
“Taklub” will have its Philippine premiere as the opening film of the French Film Festival on June 3.
The movie is produced by the DENR in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office-Philippine Information Agency.
Paje hails “Taklub” success in Cannes
