# Trap (2015 film)

Trap (Tagalog: Taklub) is a 2015 Filipino drama film directed by Brillante Mendoza and starring Nora Aunor, Julio Diaz, Lou Veloso and Aaron Rivera. Taklub centers on the survivors in the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan that devastated the central part of the Philippines, especially Tacloban, Leyte and how they picked up their lives a year after the typhoon. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. At Cannes it won a commendation awarded by the Ecumenical Jury.

## Plot

Taklub (2015) follows the lives of several survivors in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines. The story centers on Mina (Nora Aunor), a mother who is desperately searching for her missing husband and child after the devastating storm. Alongside her, two other characters, Liza (Meryll Soriano) and Bert (Julio Diaz), also struggle with the trauma of losing loved ones.
As the survivors navigate the wreckage, they face both physical and emotional challenges while trying to rebuild their lives in the midst of the ongoing disaster relief efforts. Mina, Liza, and Bert must confront their grief and despair while dealing with bureaucratic obstacles and the harsh realities of their devastated community.
The film highlights themes of resilience, survival, and the emotional toll of disaster recovery, providing a deeply human look at the aftermath of one of the deadliest typhoons in history.

## Cast

* Nora Aunor as Bebeth
* Julio Diaz as Larry
* Lou Veloso as Renato
* Aaron Rivera as Erwin
* Ruby Ruiz as Kagawad Duke
* Soliman Cruz
* Rome Mallari as Marlon
* Shine Santos
* John Rendez
* Glenda Kennedy

## Production

After Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, director Brillante Mendoza was asked by others if he would make a film about the disaster, to which he thought could be insensitive for him to exploit the tragedies that have occurred for the victims' lives. Some months later, he was asked by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to create a documentary film about climate change. For it to have a better impact towards audiences, Mendoza suggested to make a narrative film instead.
In preparing for her role, Nora Aunor interviewed some of the people in Tacloban, Leyte, a city heavily damaged by the typhoon.

## Release

Trap was screened on May 19, 2015, in the Un Certain Regard section at the 68th Cannes Film Festival. It was also shown at the Sarajevo Film Festival. The film was also part of the 9th Film and Arts Festival Two Riverside in Poland, the 15th T-Mobile New Horizons International Film Festival in Poland, the 28th Helsinki International Film Festival and the 20th Busan International Film.

## Reception

Maggie Lee of Variety called it "an intimate yet detached portrait of survivors of Typhoon Yolanda". Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film "proves to be very much in line with the director's trademark vision of the world as a bleak, imperfect if not even hopeless place". Screen International described it as "a choral film shot in urgent, handheld, docu-drama style that illuminates the tragedy and its aftermath via an intertwined series of personal stories".

## Awards

| Group | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1st MónFilmat Festival Internacional de Cinema | Best Film | | Won |
| 2015 Cannes Film Festival | Ecunumical Jury Prize (Special Mention) | | Won |
| 16th Asiatica Film Mediale | Audience Award | | Won |
| 15th Beirut International Film Festival | | | Won |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Picture | | Won |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Director | Brillante Mendoza | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Supporting Actor | Julio Diaz | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Supporting Actor | Lou Veloso | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Screenplay | Honeylyn Joy Alipio | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Cinematography | Odessey Flores | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Editing | Diego Max Dobles | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Music | Diwa De Leon | Nominated |
| 39th Gawad Urian | Best Sound | Andrew Millalos, Addiss Tabong, Dennis Payumo, Paulito Homillano | Nominated |
| 18th Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) | Dambana ng Kagalingan bilang Pinakapasadong Aktress ( Hall of Fame ) | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 18th Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) | Dangal ng PASADO sa Kamlayang Pangkalikasan | | Won |
| 18th Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) | Pinakapasadong Pelikula | | Nominated |
| 18th Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) | Pinakapasadong Direktor | Brillante Mendoza | Nominated |
| 18th Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) | Pinakapasadong Katuwang na aktor | Julio Diaz | Nominated |
| 18th Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) | Pinakapasadong Katuwang na aktor | Lou Veloso | Nominated |
| Young Critics Circle | Best Film | | Nominated |
| Young Critics Circle | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Nora Aunor | Nominated |
| Young Critics Circle | Best Screenplay | Honeylyn Joy Alipio | Nominated |
| Young Critics Circle | Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design | Odyssey Flores (Cinematography) Henry Alcasid & Dante Mendoza (Production Design) | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie of the Year | | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie Director of the Year | Dante Mendoza | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | Nora Aunor | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie Screenwriter of the year | Honeylyn Joy Alipio | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie Cinematographer of the Year | Odessey Flores | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Production Designer of the Year | Dante Mendoza | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year | Diwa De Leon | Nominated |
| 32nd Star Awards for Movies | Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the Year | Andrew Millalos and Addiss Tabong | Nominated |