From the director's statement: Maybe I forgot to tell you, I am quite obsessed with unnecessary knowledge. When I was 12, I read an encyclopedia cover to cover. I found the title “Year Without A Summer” from Wikipedia. It was 1816, and there was no summer in that year. In some places in America and China, there were even snowfalls during summer. I can imagine the climate abnormalities must have stirred a sense of doom day at that time. The crops died, the sky was often orange tinted, famines and war broke out everywhere… the fear, and the confusion. Many years later, scientists believe that the climate abnormalities were mainly caused by the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia of 1815, the largest known eruption in over 1,600 years. My story is not about volcano eruption, nor climate abnormalities. My story is about how people often live, without knowing much about what happened to them.
- 5/15/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Shooting a romantic sex comedy in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore (that co-produced the movie along with Hong Kong's One Cool Film Production), where censorship borders on the Draconian, is not exactly an easy feat, even more so when the story makes a series of rather pointed comments against the ways religion functions and the blights of patriarchy. It is what M. Raihan Halim chose to do nevertheless, in a film that manages to retain its lightness and hilarity, even though its subject matters are rather serious.
La Luna is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
The story takes place in Kampong Bras Basah, a small village were the undisputed leader is Tok Hassan, an elderly scholar whose intense strictness regarding Muslim laws has resulted in fashion magazines being manually censored, sermons being purged of humor and teenage art being deemed a matter of police concern. His authority, however,...
La Luna is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
The story takes place in Kampong Bras Basah, a small village were the undisputed leader is Tok Hassan, an elderly scholar whose intense strictness regarding Muslim laws has resulted in fashion magazines being manually censored, sermons being purged of humor and teenage art being deemed a matter of police concern. His authority, however,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The 5th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) and Malaysia Golden Global Awards (Mgga) officially returns physically yesterday with a 5-day film festival at the Dadi Cinema and the awards ceremony on the 16th at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony of the festival was held at the main entrance of Pavilion Kl, and in addition to the presence of filmmakers and invited guests.
‘Edge of The World’ as the Opening Film
The opening film was “Edge of the World”, a film directed by Hollywood director Michael Haussman, set in Sarawak, Malaysia and supported by the Sarawak Tourism Board, the film is about the 19th century British explorer James Brooke, who led the indigenous people of Malaysia out of British colonial rule and into civilization. The film’s director and producer, Josie Ho, also made a surprise appearance at the event to support the opening of the film. This is...
‘Edge of The World’ as the Opening Film
The opening film was “Edge of the World”, a film directed by Hollywood director Michael Haussman, set in Sarawak, Malaysia and supported by the Sarawak Tourism Board, the film is about the 19th century British explorer James Brooke, who led the indigenous people of Malaysia out of British colonial rule and into civilization. The film’s director and producer, Josie Ho, also made a surprise appearance at the event to support the opening of the film. This is...
- 7/11/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Adapting “The Importance of Being Earnest” in a Malaysian setting is not exactly the easiest thing to do, but Al Jafree Md Yusop’s effort also stumbled upon a number of issues, including financial ones and the pandemic, which in the end resulted in the film forgoing theatrical release, instead streaming on Mubi, in a practice that seems to gain more and more traction as time passes. Let us see what it is all about however.
“Mencari Rahmat” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
The story revolves around two men, Razak and Azman. The first one is an adopted orphan who inherited the fortune of his adoptive parents along with the obligation to take care of his his 19-year-old adopted niece, Ratna. Razak has managed to become a successful businessman, but the pressure he felt both in his line of work and regarding Ratna, has led him to invent a problematic younger brother,...
“Mencari Rahmat” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
The story revolves around two men, Razak and Azman. The first one is an adopted orphan who inherited the fortune of his adoptive parents along with the obligation to take care of his his 19-year-old adopted niece, Ratna. Razak has managed to become a successful businessman, but the pressure he felt both in his line of work and regarding Ratna, has led him to invent a problematic younger brother,...
- 3/15/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The uneasy feeling of being a stranger in your own country brings two damaged souls together in “Hail, Driver!,” a bittersweet drama about life on the social and economic margins in Kuala Lumpur. This low-key tale about an unlicensed taxi driver and a disillusioned sex worker is light on plot but rewarding as a commentary on class distinctions and cultural divides in contemporary Malaysia. Strikingly filmed in black-and-white and well performed by lead actors Amerul Affendi and Mei Fen Lim, “Hail, Driver” opened on 41 local screens on Dec. 16 and is Malaysia’s entrant in Oscar’s international feature category.
Writer-director Muzzamer Rahman began filming “Hail, Driver” in 2017. A three-year delay caused by budget problems resulted in Rahman’s horror-comedy “Takut ke Tak” beating his debut feature into Malaysian cinemas and becoming what must surely be the lengthiest production schedule of any film in the current International Oscar race. Scenes filmed...
Writer-director Muzzamer Rahman began filming “Hail, Driver” in 2017. A three-year delay caused by budget problems resulted in Rahman’s horror-comedy “Takut ke Tak” beating his debut feature into Malaysian cinemas and becoming what must surely be the lengthiest production schedule of any film in the current International Oscar race. Scenes filmed...
- 12/17/2021
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
Though horror movies have increasingly gravitated toward jump scares and computer-generated FX, often the genre’s most unsettling exercises eschew such tricks for quiet, unadorned menace. That’s certainly the case with “Roh,” which was Malaysia’s submission for the best international feature Oscar last year. Belatedly getting released to U.S. virtual cinemas, VOD and digital formats on Oct. 29, .
After a wordless opening sequence in which we see her incongruously presiding over some fiery nocturnal burial rite, a filth-covered, knife-clutching little girl (Putri Nurqaseh) wanders from the jungle to a small hut. There, husband-abandoned Mak (Farah Ahmad) lives with teenage daughter Along (Mhia Farhana) and younger son Angah (Harith Haziq). They take in the stray, assuming she got lost on an outing and needs returning to a village across the river. But once this wraithlike wee visitor finally speaks, she says, “When the moon is full, all of you will die,...
After a wordless opening sequence in which we see her incongruously presiding over some fiery nocturnal burial rite, a filth-covered, knife-clutching little girl (Putri Nurqaseh) wanders from the jungle to a small hut. There, husband-abandoned Mak (Farah Ahmad) lives with teenage daughter Along (Mhia Farhana) and younger son Angah (Harith Haziq). They take in the stray, assuming she got lost on an outing and needs returning to a village across the river. But once this wraithlike wee visitor finally speaks, she says, “When the moon is full, all of you will die,...
- 10/28/2021
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Drawing its cast from the silat schools of Malaysia, this action film is an enthusiastic celebration of the indigenous martial art, but ultimately fails to land its punches
Director Areel Abu Bakar celebrates Malay martial arts in this film about a humble family’s attempts to bring a wayward son back to the fold. Mat Arip (Fad Anuar) has been using his father’s property deed as collateral for his gambling debts, which gives loan shark Kahar (Azlan Komeng) an opportunity to exact long-desired vengeance against the father. It won’t be easy, since both Mat Arip’s brother Ali (Khoharullah Majid) and sister Fatimah (Feiyna Tajudin) are experts in silat seni gayong. This is the unarmed combat style brought to the Malay peninsula by 18th-century Bugis warriors, and still taught to the Malaysian police force.
Bakar has sourced most of the cast for his film from the silat training centres of northern Malaysia.
Director Areel Abu Bakar celebrates Malay martial arts in this film about a humble family’s attempts to bring a wayward son back to the fold. Mat Arip (Fad Anuar) has been using his father’s property deed as collateral for his gambling debts, which gives loan shark Kahar (Azlan Komeng) an opportunity to exact long-desired vengeance against the father. It won’t be easy, since both Mat Arip’s brother Ali (Khoharullah Majid) and sister Fatimah (Feiyna Tajudin) are experts in silat seni gayong. This is the unarmed combat style brought to the Malay peninsula by 18th-century Bugis warriors, and still taught to the Malaysian police force.
Bakar has sourced most of the cast for his film from the silat training centres of northern Malaysia.
- 8/17/2021
- by Ellen E Jones
- The Guardian - Film News
Directed by Areel Abu Bakar, written by Hafiz Derani and starring Namron, Khoharullah Majid and Feiyna Tajudin, Deed of Death is a Malaysian martial arts action film set for a UK release, courtesy of Signature Entertainment, on August 23rd.
When a brother falls in with the wrong crowd and gambles his family’s land away, it’s up to his siblings to save the day. Descending into a world of underground street races and illegal street fights, this family must fight tooth and nail to win back what they’ve lost and bring their brother home. Prepare for all out martial arts action in Deed of Death.
Signature Entertainment presents Deed of Death on Digital Platforms on August 23rd. Check out the trailer and a clip from the film below:...
When a brother falls in with the wrong crowd and gambles his family’s land away, it’s up to his siblings to save the day. Descending into a world of underground street races and illegal street fights, this family must fight tooth and nail to win back what they’ve lost and bring their brother home. Prepare for all out martial arts action in Deed of Death.
Signature Entertainment presents Deed of Death on Digital Platforms on August 23rd. Check out the trailer and a clip from the film below:...
- 7/22/2021
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Fourth quarter release scheduled.
Film Movement has acquired North American rights to Malaysian Oscar submission and horror film Roh (Soul).
The distributor plans a theatrical and virtual cinema release in the fourth quarter of this year followed by home entertainment and digital roll-out.
Roh centres on a single mother cut off from civilisation whose children bring home a strange young girl caked in clay.
The newcomer tells of spirits and spirit-hunters and after spending the night she delivers an ominous prophecy: the family will all die soon.
Roh marks the feature directorial debut of visual effects artist Emir Ezwan, and stars Farah Ahmad,...
Film Movement has acquired North American rights to Malaysian Oscar submission and horror film Roh (Soul).
The distributor plans a theatrical and virtual cinema release in the fourth quarter of this year followed by home entertainment and digital roll-out.
Roh centres on a single mother cut off from civilisation whose children bring home a strange young girl caked in clay.
The newcomer tells of spirits and spirit-hunters and after spending the night she delivers an ominous prophecy: the family will all die soon.
Roh marks the feature directorial debut of visual effects artist Emir Ezwan, and stars Farah Ahmad,...
- 6/4/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
When their younger brother brings a ruthless criminal gang to their door, a family must fight together against the threat in the action-packed martial arts epic Silat Warriors: Deed Of Death, which will debut exclusively on the martial arts streaming service Hi-yah! on June 4, before hitting Digital, Blu-ray and DVD July 6 from Well Go USA Entertainment.
In addition to actors Namron and Fad Anuar, first-time film director Areel Abu Bakar selected much of the talent from martial arts training facilities and competitions in order to give a sense of realism the exciting action sequences. His first-time actors include Khoharullah Majid, Feiyna Tajudin, Taiyuddin Bakar, Megat Shahrizal and Azlan Komeng.
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Columbia University is hosting a Free Zoom Discussion of the film with Director Areel Abu Bakar (winner of Nyaff’s action cinema 2020) and Megat Sharizal! In discussing their film, Areel and Megat will...
In addition to actors Namron and Fad Anuar, first-time film director Areel Abu Bakar selected much of the talent from martial arts training facilities and competitions in order to give a sense of realism the exciting action sequences. His first-time actors include Khoharullah Majid, Feiyna Tajudin, Taiyuddin Bakar, Megat Shahrizal and Azlan Komeng.
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Columbia University is hosting a Free Zoom Discussion of the film with Director Areel Abu Bakar (winner of Nyaff’s action cinema 2020) and Megat Sharizal! In discussing their film, Areel and Megat will...
- 4/9/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
As we have mentioned before, the epicenter of (Asian) martial arts productions have moved from Hong Kong to the Asean countries for some time now. Malaysian “Geran”, which won the prestigious Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Asian Cinema from New York Asian Film Festival is a proper testament to the fact.
“Geran” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
The film revolves around a family of five, with the father, Pak Nayan, being a teacher of silat Gayong, the local martial art, and his three offsprings, Ali, Fatimah and Mat Arip, his long-time students. The latter one, however, is the black sheep of the family, with his constant gambling in illegal fights and drag races, which have caused a number of problems for the family. The worst, however, occurs when he steals the deed of the family’s land and pawns it to the local loan shark,...
“Geran” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
The film revolves around a family of five, with the father, Pak Nayan, being a teacher of silat Gayong, the local martial art, and his three offsprings, Ali, Fatimah and Mat Arip, his long-time students. The latter one, however, is the black sheep of the family, with his constant gambling in illegal fights and drag races, which have caused a number of problems for the family. The worst, however, occurs when he steals the deed of the family’s land and pawns it to the local loan shark,...
- 11/27/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“Roh” (Soul) is Emir Ezwan‘s first feature film, following the short “RM10” (2016), while his credits also include supervising the SFX for Namron’s “Crossroads: One Two Jagga“.
On the occasion of “Roh” streaming on Mubi, we speak with him about his approach and his inspiration about the film, his visual approach and the location the film was shot, working with Namron, Malaysian cinema and the role of streaming services, and other topics.
Action and horror flicks are, probably, the two most popular genres in Malaysian cinema, with films like “Munafik” and its sequel being the first that come to mind. You, however, did something completely different with “Roh”. Was that one of your purposes regarding the film, to shoot a different horror movie?
“Roh” doesn’t follow the Malay horror flick archetype, because I wanted to adopt a playful approach for it. I wanted to utilize Malay folktales for...
On the occasion of “Roh” streaming on Mubi, we speak with him about his approach and his inspiration about the film, his visual approach and the location the film was shot, working with Namron, Malaysian cinema and the role of streaming services, and other topics.
Action and horror flicks are, probably, the two most popular genres in Malaysian cinema, with films like “Munafik” and its sequel being the first that come to mind. You, however, did something completely different with “Roh”. Was that one of your purposes regarding the film, to shoot a different horror movie?
“Roh” doesn’t follow the Malay horror flick archetype, because I wanted to adopt a playful approach for it. I wanted to utilize Malay folktales for...
- 11/18/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Malaysia has selected art-house horror film “Soul” (aka “Roh”) as its contender in the Academy Awards best international feature film section.
Set in an indeterminate period in the past, the film tells the story of the arrival a small girl who brings ominous predictions and strange incidents to a poor family living in a forest.
The selection was made by a special committee arranged by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and was announced on Wednesday. “The selection went through a detailed evaluation process based on filming criteria like direction, storyline, cinematography, screenplay, acting, music score, artistic elements and editing apart from adhering to the rules set by the organizers of the Oscars,” it said.
A first feature by Emir Ezwan, the film had its world premiere at the Singapore International Film Festival and then the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, both this time last year. In summer 2020, it also played...
Set in an indeterminate period in the past, the film tells the story of the arrival a small girl who brings ominous predictions and strange incidents to a poor family living in a forest.
The selection was made by a special committee arranged by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and was announced on Wednesday. “The selection went through a detailed evaluation process based on filming criteria like direction, storyline, cinematography, screenplay, acting, music score, artistic elements and editing apart from adhering to the rules set by the organizers of the Oscars,” it said.
A first feature by Emir Ezwan, the film had its world premiere at the Singapore International Film Festival and then the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, both this time last year. In summer 2020, it also played...
- 11/4/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
As we have mentioned before, the epicenter of (Asian) martial arts productions have moved from Hong Kong to the Asean countries for some time now. Malaysian “Geran”, which won the prestigious Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Asian Cinema from New York Asian Film Festival is a proper testament to the fact.
Geran is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The film revolves around a family of five, with the father, Pak Nayan, being a teacher of silat Gayong, the local martial art, and his three offsprings, Ali, Fatimah and Mat Arip, his long-time students. The latter one, however, is the black sheep of the family, with his constant gambling in illegal fights and drag races, which have caused a number of problems for the family. The worst, however, occurs when he steals the deed of the family’s land and pawns it to the local loan shark,...
Geran is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The film revolves around a family of five, with the father, Pak Nayan, being a teacher of silat Gayong, the local martial art, and his three offsprings, Ali, Fatimah and Mat Arip, his long-time students. The latter one, however, is the black sheep of the family, with his constant gambling in illegal fights and drag races, which have caused a number of problems for the family. The worst, however, occurs when he steals the deed of the family’s land and pawns it to the local loan shark,...
- 8/31/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The 19th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has announced the names of the recipients of its Rising Star Award and Action Cinema Award, as well as the international jury members who will select the winner of the Nyaff “Uncaged” Competition Award during the upcoming virtual edition, running from August 28-September 12 on the Smart Cinema USA app. Tickets for this year’s special virtual edition go on sale August 23.
The 2020 Screen International Rising Star Award goes to South Korean actress Lee Joo-young for Baseball Girl, making its international premiere and screening throughout the festival. The award recognizes her daring choice of roles across her already diverse body of work, as well as her fierce commitment to every performance, whether in indie cinema, where she already stands as a star, or the TV drama scene. These notable traits are exemplified by her tour-de-force turn as the eponymous underdog female athlete in Baseball Girl.
The 2020 Screen International Rising Star Award goes to South Korean actress Lee Joo-young for Baseball Girl, making its international premiere and screening throughout the festival. The award recognizes her daring choice of roles across her already diverse body of work, as well as her fierce commitment to every performance, whether in indie cinema, where she already stands as a star, or the TV drama scene. These notable traits are exemplified by her tour-de-force turn as the eponymous underdog female athlete in Baseball Girl.
- 8/24/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Born in Kuala Lumpur, director and screenwriter. After graduating from the film department at the University of Westminster in London, Said made commercials and worked for TV. In 2006, he shot his feature debut “Dukun” in Malaysia, but its premiere was put on hold. “Bunohan,” whose distribution was not restricted, became one of the biggest box office hits in Malaysia in 2011, and was the country’s official Oscars entry. In 2016, he released “Interchange”, while Dukun just managed to get released in 2018.
On the occasion of Dukun screening at Five Flavours, we speak with him about its release, the actual facts behind its story, the cast and the music, Malay cinema, and other topics.
What is the story behind Dukun’s release?
I am not actually privy to what happened exactly, all I know is that Astro (the production company that owns the rights to my films) has a new boss, Najwa Abu Bakar.
On the occasion of Dukun screening at Five Flavours, we speak with him about its release, the actual facts behind its story, the cast and the music, Malay cinema, and other topics.
What is the story behind Dukun’s release?
I am not actually privy to what happened exactly, all I know is that Astro (the production company that owns the rights to my films) has a new boss, Najwa Abu Bakar.
- 11/21/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Malaysian star Bront Palarae is a co-producer.
Malaysia’s Jazzy Group has boarded local thriller One, Two, Jaga as co-producer alongside Malaysian star Bront Palarae’s Pixel Play.
Palarae (pictured), who is producing with Rozi Izma, says he brought on board extra funding to boost the film’s production budget and help propel it into international markets at a time when few Malaysian features are crossing over.
“Jazzy shares our aspiration as an indie studio in telling regionally themed stories that are not only unique for local and regional territories, but will surely also find an international audience,” Palarae said.
Directed by Nam Ron, the film follows two cops on the immigration beat and an Indonesian brother and sister who are trying to find their way home without passports. The cast is headed by Malaysia’s Zahiril Adzim and Rosdeen Suboh, along with Indonesian actor Ario Bayu. Rahmat Adam will serve as executive producer.
Jazzy CEO Joanne...
Malaysia’s Jazzy Group has boarded local thriller One, Two, Jaga as co-producer alongside Malaysian star Bront Palarae’s Pixel Play.
Palarae (pictured), who is producing with Rozi Izma, says he brought on board extra funding to boost the film’s production budget and help propel it into international markets at a time when few Malaysian features are crossing over.
“Jazzy shares our aspiration as an indie studio in telling regionally themed stories that are not only unique for local and regional territories, but will surely also find an international audience,” Palarae said.
Directed by Nam Ron, the film follows two cops on the immigration beat and an Indonesian brother and sister who are trying to find their way home without passports. The cast is headed by Malaysia’s Zahiril Adzim and Rosdeen Suboh, along with Indonesian actor Ario Bayu. Rahmat Adam will serve as executive producer.
Jazzy CEO Joanne...
- 5/22/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
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