In ‘Gayong', a legendary local silat master steps into the spotlight

Free Malaysia Today

12-05-2025

Meor, played by Beto Kusyairy, taking another fighter down in a challenging confrontation. (SOL Pictures pic)
PETALING JAYA : Move over, Ip Man – there's a new historical martial-arts master in town!
Okay, 'new' might not be the best way to describe the late Meor Abdul Rahman (1915-1991). But 'Gayong', an action-packed period epic inspired by the man's life, hits the big screen to offer a mix of pulse-pounding fight sequences with moments of heartfelt emotion.
Meor was the founder of silat gayong, one of the largest and most renowned Malay silat disciplines in this region. The film, directed by Faisal Ishak, covers several important chapters of his life in 1940s Malaya, opening with the character (played by Beto Kusyairy) in a tense combat sequence.
We then transition to a tranquil domestic scene, where Meor is boarding a train with his wife Che Som (Nabilah Huda), wide-eyed brother Mat (Syafie Naswip), and young daughter. The family is heading to Singapore, where Meor hopes to work as a mechanic at the Gilman Barracks.
Meor easily bonds with the friendly villagers at his new home, and soon becomes well-known for his fantastic martial-art skills. He eventually becomes a silat teacher and starts building a good life for himself.
Meor and his wife Che Som (Nabila Huda) having a heart-to-heart. (SOL Pictures pic)
But trouble looms on the horizon: World War II is right around the corner, and imperial Japan is beginning its invasion of the Malay states. Meor must rally the usually docile village folk to defend their homeland against an attack by the savage Yamada (Takeda Hiromitsu).
So, is 'Gayong' worth a watch? First off, the film definitely looks impressive: the costume, set design and choreography do wonders in bringing its period setting to life. Whether at a bustling kampung wet market, or in the thick of a ferocious battle on a sandy beach, every scene feels animated and alive.
Indeed, the fight scenes do a good job in highlighting the skill and dexterity of the silat masters. There are no particularly revolutionary or high-concept sequences here, but everything is well put together.
Interspersed between all the kicking and punching is a nice amount of human drama. Not everyone escapes the film unscathed, and the fate of one character is particularly shocking.
'Gayong' ultimately tells a simple but engaging story of a man seeking to make a better life for his family, who uses his skills to defend everything he holds dear. It's easy for material like this to turn overly melodramatic, but fortunately, the film manages to avoid this territory.
Meor's brother Mat (Syafie Naswip) training soldiers in the art of silat. (SOL Pictures pic)
The movie is anchored by Beto Kusyairy, who portrays the protagonist with an inspired blend of stoicism and emotional depth. His take on Meor is always engaging, whether the character is dispensing wise platitudes on life and silat, or high-kicking villains to kingdom come.
Nabila Huda also puts in a solid performance as the caring and supportive Che Som (and gets a cool fight scene!), while the supporting cast generally play their parts well.
If the story has a weak point, it is probably the climax, which feels slightly contrived with a feel-good conclusion right out of a formulaic Hollywood flick. This, however, is just a minor misstep, and the rest of 'Gayong' is entertaining enough to overcome it.
Overall, there's plenty to enjoy here. 'Gayong' may be full of the usual tropes found in martial-arts biopics, but it executes them efficiently, and the result is an enjoyable crowd-pleaser.
Credit also must be given to the music team, whose memorable soundtrack manages to be both uplifting and evocative. Plus, the final sequence hints at a sequel on the way: we can only hope Meor's subsequent adventures are just as thrilling as his first!
As of press time, 'Gayong' is screening in cinemas nationwide.