‘Angkat', a local film that dares to laugh at death

Free Malaysia Today

2 days ago

In 'Angkat', a simple burial becomes a chaotic journey for three siblings. (Feisk Productions pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : When the van carrying their father's corpse breaks down 30km from home, three distant brothers, stranded and out of options, must carry the body to the village – on foot.
This is the bizarre and bold premise of 'Angkat', a Malay dark-comedy film directed by Feisal Azizuddin and produced by Feisk Productions. Feisal drew inspiration for the story from a real-life moment when he, too, was stuck in traffic in a 'van jenazah' transporting his grandmother's body back to their kampung.
'Angkat' received a positive reception during its world premiere at the Blue Chair Film Festival in Laos last year.
The film opens nationwide on Aug 14 with an unconventional promotional move: until Aug 13, tickets will be priced at just RM10 at selected TGV outlets. The cost difference is absorbed by Feisk Productions in a bid to encourage more Malaysians to head to the cinemas.
From the outset, 'Angkat' doesn't shy away from intensity. It opens with a flashback of Pak Gani, the father, caning his three sons before sending them off to fend for themselves in Kuala Lumpur.
This emotional baggage carries into the present, where the brothers, now adults, must confront both the physical burden of their father's corpse and the emotional weight of their unresolved trauma.
(From left) Firdaus Karim, Sky Iskandar and Syazani Zikry portray the brothers. (Feisk Productions pic)
The characterisation of the brothers feels almost textbook, but it works. The eldest, Ibrahim (Firdaus Karim), is a wealthy corporate figure who's also involved in an extramarital affair.
Middle child Yusuf (Sky Iskandar) sells insurance, while the youngest, Karim (Syazani Zikry), is a carefree burger vendor who strums a ukulele on the job.
The tension between them is palpable. Old resentments simmer beneath the surface, especially with Ibrahim, whose bitterness towards their father becomes a recurring thread.
At one point, this memorable line is uttered: 'Raised us? All he did was stare at us when we left the kampung.' Moments like these give the film real emotional depth.
What 'Angkat' does particularly well is juxtapose these moments of heaviness with pitch-black humour. From a missing toe on the corpse to the collective horror at the state of the van jenazah, the film doesn't need to dig too deep to find laughter. It's a delicate balance, and Feisal handles it with restraint.
Another standout is van driver Mia, played by Sara Mack Lubis. She takes over her father's job because of his illness and becomes the unexpected heart of the journey.
Sassy yet grounded, Mia brings a subtle feminist touch, caring for her ailing father while chasing her dream of becoming a TV host. She also frequently steps in to mediate the brothers' fights and even saves them at one point in the paddy fields.
Mia, played by Sara Mack Lubis, brings humour and balance to the chaos. (Feisk Productions pic)
The film has a few gasp-worthy moments, like when the corpse tumbles into a water-filled ditch. Meanwhile, back in the kampung, a search party nearly crosses paths with the brothers, adding to the suspense and urgency.
But the best part of 'Angkat' is watching the brothers slowly soften. Their arc, from strangers to something resembling a family again, is heartwarming.
Performances from the three leads are solid, with the actors convincingly capturing moments of simmering rage, helplessness, and occasional tenderness.
Visually, the film is stunning. Shot largely in Tanjung Karang and Kuala Selangor, the journey unfolds against lush paddy fields and backroads. Credit must also go to the understated but effective background score.
That said, the movie falters slightly in its final act. While the story seems to be building towards a big emotional reveal or narrative twist, what the audience gets instead are underwhelming 'secrets' exchanged among the brothers – things likely to have already been picked up on.
Alas, it's a missed opportunity for a more impactful payoff.
Nevertheless, with cinema halls currently flooded with mainstream releases, don't sleep on this indie gem. 'Angkat' is well worth the journey – on foot or otherwise.
'Angkat' begins screening in selected cinemas nationwide from Aug 14.
The RM10 promotion is exclusively with TGV cinemas at the following locations: