The Janitor (2014 film)

The Janitor
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Tuviera
Written byAloy Adlawan
Michael Tuviera
Produced byRamil David
Jojo Oconer
Michael Tuviera
Starring
Production
company
Distributed byStar Cinema
Release dates
Running time
122 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

The Janitor is a 2014 Philippine crime thriller film, directed and produced by Michael Tuviera and co-written with Aloy Adlawan.[1] It stars Dennis Trillo , Richard Gomez and Derek Ramsay.[2] The story is loosely based on a real-life events in Philippines deadliest bank heist in 2008.[3][4]

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

Production

Upon learning the bank robbery news, Tuviera was inspired by the concept of adapting real life events for film.[5] 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.[6] 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).[7]

In preparation for the role, Trillo got tanned, darkening his skin and bulking up some muscles.[7] He underwent intensive physical workout and trained for mixed martial arts.[5]

Release

The movie premiered on August 2, 2014 at the 10th Cinemalaya Film Festival and was screened for 10 days.[8] Star Cinema partnered with APT Entertainment and released the film commercially in cinemas on October 8, 2014.[9]

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.[7][10]

Accolades

Awards and nominations received by Zig Dulay
Organization Year Nominated Work Category Result Ref.
Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2014 Best Film The Janitor Nominated [11]
Best Director Michael Tuviera Won
Best Supporting Actor Nicco Manalo Won
Best Screenplay Aloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera Won
Best Editing Tara Illenberger Won
Best Sound Albert Michael Idioma Won
Gawad Urian Award 2015 Best Actor Dennis Trillo Nominated [12][13]
Best Editing Tara Illenberger Nominated
PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2015 Indie Movie of the Year The Janitor Won [14][15]
Indie Movie Director of the Year Michael Tuviera Won
Movie Supporting Actor of the Year Nicco Manalo Won
Indie Movie Editor of the Year Tara Illenberger Won
Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the Year Alex Tomboc and Albert Michael Idioma Won
Best Actor Dennis Trillo Nominated
Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year Aloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera Nominated
Indie Cinematographer of the Year Michael Floriendo Nominated
Indie Movie Production Designer of the Year Roy Lachica Nominated
Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year Richard Gonzales Nominated
Fantasporto International Film Festival 2015 Best Actor Richard Gomez Won [16]

References

  1. ^ "The Janitor". Cinemalaya. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  2. ^ Allende, Julia (8 August 2014). "CINEMALAYA 2014 REVIEW: Dennis Trillo displays brute force in The Janitor's riveting action scenes". PEP. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  3. ^ Tomada, Natalie (8 October 2014). "The Janitor: Perfect theme, perfect timing". PhilStar. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  4. ^ "The Janitor: Grim and bear it". PhilStar. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b Uy, John (28 July 2014). "The Janitor". Seatsfortwo. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  6. ^ Tomada, Nathalie (8 October 2014). "The Janitor: Perfect theme, perfect timing". PhilStar. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "The Janitor almost got X rating, Direk Mike Tuviera compromised with MTRCB to get R-16 rating". PEP. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  8. ^ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (9 July 2014). "PEP Guide to Cinemalaya 2014". PEP. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Mike Tuviera's "The Janitor" Makes Its Way To Mainstream Cinemas". Orange Magazine. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  10. ^ "'The Janitor' goes to Portugal". Inquirer. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  11. ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya Awards Night 2014". Rappler. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  12. ^ "38th Gawad Urian nominees revealed". Philippine Entertainment Portal. May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  13. ^ "FULL LIST: Nominees, Gawad Urian Awards 2015". Rappler. May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  14. ^ "31st Star Awards for Movies winners: John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual and Nora Aunor top acting awards". PEP. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Star Awards for Movies 2015: Nora, Cherie, Eugene, Aiko, Anne, Toni, Jennylyn for Best Actress". PEP. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  16. ^ "Richard & Children's Hour winners in Portugal filmfest". PhilStar. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2026.