“Dukun”, the directorial debut of Dain Said, finally reached mass audience after an online leak in 2018. Responding to the release, Dain Said took a subtle but witty approach by saying the film was like an ex-girlfriend he already moved on. After all, no one knows why Astro Shaw (the production company) shelved it for 12 years.
“Dukun” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
Initially written in English by Huzir Sulaiman, it became the screenplay we know today with help from Dain Said and Fariza Azlina Isahak. The writing credits are rounded-up by Al Jafree Md Yusof who translated it into Malay. “Dukun” won four awards out of eleven nominations in the 30th Malaysian Film Festival in 2019.
This particular review will employ a literary theory introduced by Roland Barthes in “S/Z”. It is a network of codes that Barthes developed as a method of reading Honoré de Balzac’s “Sarrasine”. There are...
“Dukun” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
Initially written in English by Huzir Sulaiman, it became the screenplay we know today with help from Dain Said and Fariza Azlina Isahak. The writing credits are rounded-up by Al Jafree Md Yusof who translated it into Malay. “Dukun” won four awards out of eleven nominations in the 30th Malaysian Film Festival in 2019.
This particular review will employ a literary theory introduced by Roland Barthes in “S/Z”. It is a network of codes that Barthes developed as a method of reading Honoré de Balzac’s “Sarrasine”. There are...
- 12/11/2020
- by Abdul Rahman Shah
- AsianMoviePulse
One of Malaysia’s most controversial titles, director Dain Iskander Said created a firestorm of controversy with his 2007 film ‘Dukun.’ Based on a true story about a woman tried for witchcraft and other occult practices after the murder of a prominent politician in the country, the film ran afoul of the country’s Islamic censors who suppressed it for over a decade, before it finally started getting leaked onto the internet through various social media platforms.
“Dukun” is screening at the Five Flavours Festival
Awaiting her execution, Diana Dahlan recounts the story of her arrest. Several months earlier, lawyer Karim Osman is assigned to her case after being convicted of murder and witchcraft against a colleague and tries to win over the confidence to defend her. As the trial continues on, more evidence is revealed, not only about her connection to him but also about a deadly mystery involving his own missing daughter,...
“Dukun” is screening at the Five Flavours Festival
Awaiting her execution, Diana Dahlan recounts the story of her arrest. Several months earlier, lawyer Karim Osman is assigned to her case after being convicted of murder and witchcraft against a colleague and tries to win over the confidence to defend her. As the trial continues on, more evidence is revealed, not only about her connection to him but also about a deadly mystery involving his own missing daughter,...
- 11/19/2018
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Dain Iskandar Said’s second feature was his most successful, premiering at Toronto in 2011, winning the Netpac award from the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, becoming only the second film in the history of Malay cinema to be submitted to the Academy and winning eight awards. Let us see what it is all about though.
The film primarily takes place in the rural Malaysian town of Bunohan, which is located close to the Thai border. Adil is a young kick-boxer who has fallen deeply into debt, with little hope of paying his creditors honestly. In desperation, Adil agrees to an illegal high-stakes death match at a boxing club on the other side of the border, but in the midst of the fight, with Adil losing badly, his best friend Muski bursts into the ring and breaks up the match, dragging Adil away. This upsets the promoters of the fight,...
The film primarily takes place in the rural Malaysian town of Bunohan, which is located close to the Thai border. Adil is a young kick-boxer who has fallen deeply into debt, with little hope of paying his creditors honestly. In desperation, Adil agrees to an illegal high-stakes death match at a boxing club on the other side of the border, but in the midst of the fight, with Adil losing badly, his best friend Muski bursts into the ring and breaks up the match, dragging Adil away. This upsets the promoters of the fight,...
- 10/31/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
One of Malaysia’s most controversial titles, director Dain Iskander Said created a firestorm of controversy with his 2007 film ‘Dukun.’ Based on a true story about a woman tried for witchcraft and other occult practices after the murder of a prominent politician in the country, the film ran afoul of the country’s Islamic censors who suppressed it for over a decade, before it finally started getting leaked onto the internet through various social media platforms.
“Dukun” is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
Awaiting her execution, Diana Dahlan recounts the story of her arrest. Several months earlier, lawyer Karim Osman is assigned to her case after being convicted of murder and witchcraft against a colleague and tries to win over the confidence to defend her. As the trial continues on, more evidence is revealed, not only about her connection to him but also about a deadly...
“Dukun” is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
Awaiting her execution, Diana Dahlan recounts the story of her arrest. Several months earlier, lawyer Karim Osman is assigned to her case after being convicted of murder and witchcraft against a colleague and tries to win over the confidence to defend her. As the trial continues on, more evidence is revealed, not only about her connection to him but also about a deadly...
- 7/15/2018
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Hong Kong actress Kara Wai Ying-hung and director Ho Yuhang reunite for the second time in this Malaysian-Hong Kong co-production crime action thriller. The film was nominated for Best Action Choreography in the 53rd Golden Horse Film Awards, Taipei in 2016.
In the opening scene of the movie, three elderly men were brutally killed, but in separate incidents. After that, we see Mrs. K, baking away in her posh, beautiful suburban home, while two young robbers pretending to be couriers enter her home and demand money, and accordingly she beats them up with her quick thinking and fancy moves. So, this normal, elderly housewife is not what she seems after all. Soon enough, bad events start to happen to her family. Strangers appear at her home demanding money, leading to the kidnapping of her teenage daughter and her doctor husband hospitalized while fighting off the attackers.
Apparently, many years ago in Macau,...
In the opening scene of the movie, three elderly men were brutally killed, but in separate incidents. After that, we see Mrs. K, baking away in her posh, beautiful suburban home, while two young robbers pretending to be couriers enter her home and demand money, and accordingly she beats them up with her quick thinking and fancy moves. So, this normal, elderly housewife is not what she seems after all. Soon enough, bad events start to happen to her family. Strangers appear at her home demanding money, leading to the kidnapping of her teenage daughter and her doctor husband hospitalized while fighting off the attackers.
Apparently, many years ago in Macau,...
- 6/29/2018
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Yuhang Ho had a very difficult task in his hands from the beginning: to shoot an action martial arts film where all of his protagonists are (almost) over 50. The result, however, was more than impressive, as he worked over the particular reef by limiting the action and adding many thriller elements.
“Mrs K” will screen at Art Film Fest Kosice, that will be on June 16-24
Mrs K is a housewife, happily married with a gynecologist, and mother to a teenage girl who is also a martial artist. However, underneath the calm, happy and motherly figure resides something else, as Mrs K used to be part of a crime ring. As her former comrades are being killed one by one, a rather unpleasant former police officer visits her house and confronts her about the past. Furthermore, another man, who seems to know her quite well, resurfaces, and along with his henchman,...
“Mrs K” will screen at Art Film Fest Kosice, that will be on June 16-24
Mrs K is a housewife, happily married with a gynecologist, and mother to a teenage girl who is also a martial artist. However, underneath the calm, happy and motherly figure resides something else, as Mrs K used to be part of a crime ring. As her former comrades are being killed one by one, a rather unpleasant former police officer visits her house and confronts her about the past. Furthermore, another man, who seems to know her quite well, resurfaces, and along with his henchman,...
- 6/21/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“Mrs. K” rocked the 27th Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) last November 27, 2016. Hitting the special presentation at Capitol Theater was Hong Kong martial arts super star and Mrs. K heroine herself Kara Wei. Fans couldn’t get enough of Kara Wei (known for her thrilling turns in “My Young Auntie” (1982), “Rain Dogs” (2006), “At The End of Daybreak” (2009), and “Rigor Mortis” (2014)) specially since this is the iconic actress’ farewell film. Mrs. K‘s Writer-director Ho Yuhang, Taiwanese rocker Wu Bai, and Malaysian newcomer Siow Li Xuan also graced the red carpet.
Kara Hui, Ho Yuhang, Wu Bai & Siow Li Xuan
Mrs. K follows a suburban housewife whose ordinary life is shaken up when an ex-cop—who knows about her criminal past—comes in to town to blackmail her. Mrs. K must battle against her former foes to protect her husband and daughter at all costs. It is a timeless tale of...
Kara Hui, Ho Yuhang, Wu Bai & Siow Li Xuan
Mrs. K follows a suburban housewife whose ordinary life is shaken up when an ex-cop—who knows about her criminal past—comes in to town to blackmail her. Mrs. K must battle against her former foes to protect her husband and daughter at all costs. It is a timeless tale of...
- 11/28/2016
- by Ella Palileo
- AsianMoviePulse
Malaysian action drama Mrs. K hits The Singapore International Film Festival on November 27, 2016 and martial arts lovers will be in for a spectacular treat.
Things seem to be perfectly ordinary at Mrs. K’s flawless suburban neighborhood. She lives a simple life with her husband, Mr. K, and her daughter, Lil’ K. But when an ex-cop who knows about her criminal past comes in town…all hell breaks lose. Mrs. K’s violent history comes back to terrorize her.
Mrs. K reunites iconic martial arts star Kara Wai with pioneer Malaysian writer-director Ho Yuhang, known for his critically acclaimed films Sanctuary (2004), Rain Dogs (2006) and At The End of Daybreak (2009). Co-written with Chan Wai-Keung, the movie promises to bring bloody thrills, while exploring the timeless drama of vengeance and redemption. It is an action packed extravaganza with engrossing character arcs. The quiet elegant housewife Mrs. K is in fact a...
Things seem to be perfectly ordinary at Mrs. K’s flawless suburban neighborhood. She lives a simple life with her husband, Mr. K, and her daughter, Lil’ K. But when an ex-cop who knows about her criminal past comes in town…all hell breaks lose. Mrs. K’s violent history comes back to terrorize her.
Mrs. K reunites iconic martial arts star Kara Wai with pioneer Malaysian writer-director Ho Yuhang, known for his critically acclaimed films Sanctuary (2004), Rain Dogs (2006) and At The End of Daybreak (2009). Co-written with Chan Wai-Keung, the movie promises to bring bloody thrills, while exploring the timeless drama of vengeance and redemption. It is an action packed extravaganza with engrossing character arcs. The quiet elegant housewife Mrs. K is in fact a...
- 10/30/2016
- by Ella Palileo
- AsianMoviePulse
Seth Larney and Nasir Jani will co-direct the action thriller.
Australian VFX supervisor Seth Larney (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Malaysia’s Nasir Jani are co-directing Malaysian action thriller Tombiruo, based on the best-selling novel by Ramlee Awang Murshid.
Produced by Malaysia’s Astro Shaw, Ideate Media, Karangkraf and Layar Sunan, the film has also tapped Us-based 42 Entertainment to work on character design. 42 Entertainment has created games and immersive experiences for Us studio movies including Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Dark Knight and Tron Legacy.
According to Astro Shaw vice president, business development, Najwa Abu Bakar, the movie is being positioned for audiences beyond Malaysia, with the mix of Us, Australian and Southeast Asian talent.
“Given the increasingly international appeal of our recent movies such as The Journey, Polis Evo, OlaBola and the multi-territory co-production of Apichatpong Weeraseethakul’s Cemetery Of Splendour, we continue to also nurture local creative and production talents and work alongside international production teams,” Abu Bakar...
Australian VFX supervisor Seth Larney (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Malaysia’s Nasir Jani are co-directing Malaysian action thriller Tombiruo, based on the best-selling novel by Ramlee Awang Murshid.
Produced by Malaysia’s Astro Shaw, Ideate Media, Karangkraf and Layar Sunan, the film has also tapped Us-based 42 Entertainment to work on character design. 42 Entertainment has created games and immersive experiences for Us studio movies including Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Dark Knight and Tron Legacy.
According to Astro Shaw vice president, business development, Najwa Abu Bakar, the movie is being positioned for audiences beyond Malaysia, with the mix of Us, Australian and Southeast Asian talent.
“Given the increasingly international appeal of our recent movies such as The Journey, Polis Evo, OlaBola and the multi-territory co-production of Apichatpong Weeraseethakul’s Cemetery Of Splendour, we continue to also nurture local creative and production talents and work alongside international production teams,” Abu Bakar...
- 8/25/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Seth Larney and Nasir Jani will co-direct the action thriller.
Australian VFX supervisor Seth Larney (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Malaysia’s Nasir Jani are co-directing Malaysian action thriller Tombiruo, based on the best-selling novel by Ramlee Awang Murshid.
Produced by Malaysia’s Astro Shaw, Ideate Media, Karangkraf and Layar Sunan, the film has also tapped Us-based 42 Entertainment to work on character design. 42 Entertainment has created games and immersive experiences for Us studio movies including Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Dark Knight and Tron Legacy.
According to Astro Shaw vice president, business development, Najwa Abu Bakar, the movie is being positioned for audiences beyond Malaysia, with the mix of Us, Australian and Southeast Asian talent.
“Given the increasingly international appeal of our recent movies such as The Journey, Polis Evo, OlaBola and the multi-territory co-production of Apichatpong Weeraseethakul’s Cemetery Of Splendour, we continue to also nurture local creative and production talents and work alongside international production teams,” Abu Bakar...
Australian VFX supervisor Seth Larney (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Malaysia’s Nasir Jani are co-directing Malaysian action thriller Tombiruo, based on the best-selling novel by Ramlee Awang Murshid.
Produced by Malaysia’s Astro Shaw, Ideate Media, Karangkraf and Layar Sunan, the film has also tapped Us-based 42 Entertainment to work on character design. 42 Entertainment has created games and immersive experiences for Us studio movies including Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Dark Knight and Tron Legacy.
According to Astro Shaw vice president, business development, Najwa Abu Bakar, the movie is being positioned for audiences beyond Malaysia, with the mix of Us, Australian and Southeast Asian talent.
“Given the increasingly international appeal of our recent movies such as The Journey, Polis Evo, OlaBola and the multi-territory co-production of Apichatpong Weeraseethakul’s Cemetery Of Splendour, we continue to also nurture local creative and production talents and work alongside international production teams,” Abu Bakar...
- 8/25/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Malaysia’s Sonneratia Capital and Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures are financing Ho Yuhang’s action film Mrs K, which has recently started production.
Produced by Lina Tan of Red Films and Lorna Tee of Paperheart, the film stars Kara Wai Ying Hung, Simon Yam, Taiwanese rock star Wu Bai and Malaysian award-winning actor Faizal Hussein.
The story follows a woman who gives everything she has to protect her husband and daughter when she is hunted by enemies who reappear from her past.
The cast also features newcomer Siow Li Xuan and supporting roles from veteran action actor Lau Wing, Malaysian director Dain Said and Hong Kong filmmakers Fruit Chan and Kirk Wong Chi Keung.
Ho developed the film after working with Kara Wai in his award-winning drama At The End Of Daybreak, for which she won seven best actress awards. Emp is handling international sales on the film, which is scheduled...
Produced by Lina Tan of Red Films and Lorna Tee of Paperheart, the film stars Kara Wai Ying Hung, Simon Yam, Taiwanese rock star Wu Bai and Malaysian award-winning actor Faizal Hussein.
The story follows a woman who gives everything she has to protect her husband and daughter when she is hunted by enemies who reappear from her past.
The cast also features newcomer Siow Li Xuan and supporting roles from veteran action actor Lau Wing, Malaysian director Dain Said and Hong Kong filmmakers Fruit Chan and Kirk Wong Chi Keung.
Ho developed the film after working with Kara Wai in his award-winning drama At The End Of Daybreak, for which she won seven best actress awards. Emp is handling international sales on the film, which is scheduled...
- 12/9/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
What other way is there?
It isn’t clear what way is being followed, let alone the availability of alternatives in Bunohan (2012). Adil (Zahiril Adzim) is a fighter who gets in over his head in a Thai kickboxing match and has to be rescued from the fight by his friend Muski (Amerul Affendi). This gets him in trouble with gangsters (I think). These gangsters send Ilham (Faizal Hussein), a ruthless hitman, after Adil to take him down. Meanwhile, Bakar (Pekin Ibrahim) has moved back to Bunohan ostensibly to take care of his ailing father, but actually to close out a property deal concerning the land of his father and the local kickboxing club. Thus, Bakar has to deal with Adil and Ilham, his brothers, using two-bit gangster Jolok (Hushairi Husain). Oh, and then there’s Mek Yah (Tengku Azura Tengku Awang) who is like a water spirit or something.
Read more.
It isn’t clear what way is being followed, let alone the availability of alternatives in Bunohan (2012). Adil (Zahiril Adzim) is a fighter who gets in over his head in a Thai kickboxing match and has to be rescued from the fight by his friend Muski (Amerul Affendi). This gets him in trouble with gangsters (I think). These gangsters send Ilham (Faizal Hussein), a ruthless hitman, after Adil to take him down. Meanwhile, Bakar (Pekin Ibrahim) has moved back to Bunohan ostensibly to take care of his ailing father, but actually to close out a property deal concerning the land of his father and the local kickboxing club. Thus, Bakar has to deal with Adil and Ilham, his brothers, using two-bit gangster Jolok (Hushairi Husain). Oh, and then there’s Mek Yah (Tengku Azura Tengku Awang) who is like a water spirit or something.
Read more.
- 5/24/2013
- by Jason Ratigan
- JustPressPlay.net
The Bunohan Movie Trailer has premiered. Dain Said‘s Bunohan (2011) stars Faizal Hussein, Zahiril Adzim, Pekin Ibrahim, Bront Palarae, and Namron. Bunohan (2011)’s plot synopsis: “Bunohan is set in the secluded mangroves of Malaysia. Three brothers return to their home, each with their own path and each with their own fate. Kickboxer Adil, the youngest, is on the run from an illegal fight, while Ilham, a hired assassin and the oldest brother, hunts for his next prey. It is the middle brother, Bakar, an opportunist, that sets them all on a collision course of deceit, regret and murder. As quickly as their lives reunite, their ties are forever ripped apart.” The Bunohan movie trailer is short, intense, and effective. It certainly gets quicker to the point than most hollywood produced movie trailers. Two of the three worlds of the brothers are expertly shown. Watch the Bunohan movie trailer below and leave your thoughts on it.
- 3/10/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
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