The Janitor is a 2014 Philippine crime thriller film, directed and produced by Michael Tuviera and co-written with Aloy Adlawan. It stars Dennis Trillo , Richard Gomez and Derek Ramsay. The story is loosely based on a real-life events in Philippines deadliest bank heist in 2008.
Synopsis A bank heist goes terribly wrong leaving ten people dead. Espina, a former police officer turned vigilante is assigned secretly to resolve the case and hunts down the culprit behind the robbery. As Espina finds each suspect, he unravels the dirty truth behind his extrajudicial duties.
Cast Main cast Dennis Trillo as Cristiano Espina Richard Gomez as Rudy Manapat Derek Ramsay as Dindo Marasigan
Supporting cast Ricky Davao as Wenceslao Bugaoisan Raymond Bagatsing as Enteng Homecillo Pen Medina as Roger Ponce Jerald Napoles as Matias Dimaranan Dante Rivero as Monching Espina Irma Adlawan as Erwin Espina LJ Reyes as Melba Espina Nicco Manalo as Junjun Carasco Ynez Veneracion as Connie Homecillo JC Santos as Lito Ponce/Juan Carlos Santos Sunshine Garcia as Kristal
Production Upon learning the bank robbery news, Tuviera was inspired by the concept of adapting real life events for film. During press conference, he discussed his lengthy research by interviewing both sides of the law. He interviewed a retired major in the police force. Tuviera also had a conversation with a professional assassin through the help of a middleman in a secluded location. He faced a delimma when Dennis Trillo insisted of joining him in the meeting. He described the hitman as normal person and the interview went smoothly.
Tuviera made two minor changes to keep the film in R-16 ratings to comply Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) guidelines. The film received a graded A ratings from Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).
In preparation for the role, Trillo got tanned, darkening his skin and bulking up some muscles. He underwent intensive physical workout and trained for mixed martial arts.
Release The movie premiered on August 2, 2014 at the 10th Cinemalaya Film Festival and was screened for 10 days. Star Cinema partnered with APT Entertainment and released the film commercially in cinemas on October 8, 2014.
The film was also screened from February 27 to March 7, 2015 at the Fantasporto International Film Festival or Festival Internacional de Cinema do Porto held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Accolades
+ Organization YearNominated Work Category ResultRef.Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival2014Best Film The JanitorBest Director Michael TuvieraBest Supporting Actor Nicco ManaloBest Screenplay Aloy Adlawan and Michael TuvieraBest Editing Tara IllenbergerBest Sound Albert Michael IdiomaGawad Urian Award2015Best Actor Dennis TrilloBest Editing Tara IllenbergerPMPC Star Awards for Movies2015Indie Movie of the YearThe Janitor Indie Movie Director of the Year Michael Tuviera Movie Supporting Actor of the YearNicco ManaloIndie Movie Editor of the Year Tara Illenberger Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the YearAlex Tomboc and Albert Michael IdiomaBest Actor Dennis TrilloIndie Movie Screenwriter of the YearAloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera Indie Cinematographer of the Year Michael FloriendoIndie Movie Production Designer of the YearRoy LachicaIndie Movie Musical Scorer of the YearRichard GonzalesFantasporto International Film Festival2015Best Actor Richard Gomez
References
External links The Janitor at IMDb