Latest news with #SilatGayong
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Gayong' stuns with sizzling silat scenes
STEP into the ring with 'Gayong', a compelling Malaysian martial arts film that blends the rich cultural heritage of Silat Gayong with action sequences. This isn't just another martial arts flick. It's a heartfelt homage to Malaysia's unique martial tradition and the late silat grandmaster Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman, founder of Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia. Honour and legacy 'Gayong' delves into themes of honour, discipline and legacy, offering an insightful look into Meor Abdul Rahman's extraordinary journey and lasting impact. The story begins with how his martial arts skills drew people from far and wide to learn from him. His expertise caught the eye of Major Malburn, a British military officer who appointed him an unarmed combat trainer in the British army. This was a monumental honour, as he was the first Malay to be given such a task. The film shows his service with the British team until the Japanese occupation of Malaya in 1942. Authentic and deep The cast of 'Gayong' truly shines, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. Beto Kusyairy, an award-winning actor who has been training in martial arts since age 7, delivers a powerful and convincing performance as Meor Abdul Rahman. He is ably supported by Nabila Huda and Syafie Naswip. The casting feels incredibly natural. The chemistry between the characters elevates the story. Whether it's moments of quiet introspection or scenes of intense drama, the ensemble delivers with impressive sincerity. Nabila Huda, playing Che Som, Meor's wife, deserves a special mention for her attention to detail. She brought her own team to ensure her character's look and wardrobe perfectly captured the period. Her performance is convincing and lives up to the high standards her fans have come to expect. Visual gandeur One of the film's greatest strengths is the breathtaking choreography, orchestrated under the masterful art direction of Yayan Ruhian, the Indonesian martial artist and actor. Ruhian also graces the screen in the film, portraying Wak Kusang, a resident of an island off Singapore's southern coast. Each fight scene is a spectacle of raw power and elegant precision, showcasing the intricate technical depth of silat. The sequences are intense, fluid and rooted in authentic silat tradition. Further amplifying the authenticity is the fact that many of the actors are martial arts practitioners, including Thai MMA fighter Shannon Wiratchai and MMA fighter Peter Davis. The cinematography beautifully complements the action, fluidly capturing every movement while emphasising the emotional stakes of each confrontation. Visually, 'Gayong' is a feast for the eyes, transporting viewers to the 1930s and early 1940s with a rich colour palette and thoughtfully executed period details. The immersion in time and setting feels effortless, never forced or overdone. MOore than an action film While some plot elements might feel familiar to fans of martial arts cinema, 'Gayong' offers a refreshing perspective through its unique cultural lens. This isn't merely a film about fighting. It's a poignant narrative about preserving identity and tradition in a rapidly modernising world. Overall, 'Gayong' stands as a heartfelt and action-packed tribute to Silat Gayong. It's an absolute must-watch for anyone who appreciates martial arts films with cultural depth. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of martial arts, biopics, Malay heritage or anyone seeking a well-made and engaging cinematic experience. GAYONG DURATION 110 minutes CLASSIFICATION P13
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
'Gayong' and 'Kulit Wayang' — two solid reasons to go to the cinema now
MAY 17 — With the recent announcement that Blood Brothers: Bara Naga has collected RM76 million at the local box-office after 33 days of screening — taking it to second place at the all-time Malaysian box-office charts for local films — it's quite easy to overlook the fact there have been quite a few notable Malaysian films that have opened in local cinemas in the weeks after the Blood Brothers fever hit local cinemagoers. When you add to that the fact there are also other notable releases from Hollywood and beyond opening around the same time like Sinners (which I think is one of the best films of the year so far), Thunderbolts* (aka The New Avengers), Until Dawn and Holy Night: Demon Hunters (come on, who doesn't want to see Don Lee punch demons?), it really is easy to miss out on some of the more notable local films being released concurrently. Despite my best efforts to catch as many local films that I can in the cinema, I still haven't managed to catch Telaga Suriram from this latest batch of local films opening recently, but I've managed to catch two pretty notable ones, for various reasons respectively. The only expectation I had when walking into the cinema to watch this movie, based on the life experiences of Silat Gayong grandmaster Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman Daeng Uda Md Hashim, is that the trailers promised a sort of Malaysian version of the Ip Man movies — a nationalistic historical epic based on the life of a real person. — Picture via YouTube/Filem Gayong Rasmi Gayong The only expectation I had when walking into the cinema to watch this movie, based on the life experiences of Silat Gayong grandmaster Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman Daeng Uda Md Hashim, is that the trailers promised a sort of Malaysian version of the Ip Man movies — a nationalistic historical epic based on the life of a real person. As a local film fan and paying customer, I'd say that director Faisal Ishak (of the Juvana movies and Budak Flat fame) has totally delivered on that premise, with all the caveats that may come with it being an Ip Man type movie. Just like those Ip Man movies, this one's very stylised as well, with a nationalistic spirit that can't help but stir the emotions in you, with an added local flavour that will remind people of 80s and 90s Malaysian films in how the dialogue is written and delivered. And there's a beautiful layer of Malay-ness to it all, particularly in the ethics/practice of the art of Silat Gayong, in how and when to hold back or move forward, and when to truly let go of all that rage, that's presented in a surprisingly subtle way. In short, there's a very Malay soul to this historical action flick, which makes it pretty unique and at least of some value to fans of fight flicks out there. There are some unfortunate, but not that glaring, holes in the film's plotting, wherein some character motivations can be a bit confounding, but on the whole, Ishak has delivered an exciting, emotional and pretty well-paced piece of mainstream entertainment. It's not perfect, but in its wonderfully quaint and mannered retroness, and its soulful presentation of Silat Gayong principles, it holds its own place in the history of Malaysian action films. I can't wait for its next chapter! Kulit Wayang Celebrated Malaysian auteur Dain Said does horror again with his latest film Kulit Wayang, but aims to deliver a bit more food for thought by using the world of Kelantanese 'wayang kulit' (shadow puppetry) to provoke audiences into thinking about issues like exploitation, creative and literal theft from the more underprivileged local communities, and if one were to think in an even wider context, exploitation and theft by those in powerful positions from poor and normal people. He does all this by telling the story of a tok dalang (shadow puppet master) named Pak Lee (played by Fattah Amin, doing a pretty great job with his facial expressions and emotions, but sometimes undone by the inconsistency of the delivery of his Kelantanes dialect) who is grieving the death of his child. He comes across a young Indonesian girl named Dewi, who's in the village with her mother, who's doing a thesis on wayang kulit, and it turns out that Dewi has a preternatural gift for wayang kulit ('angin dia kuat' as explained in the film's dialogue), which kicks the film's plot into gear, involving mystical beings like a crocodile man, ghosts of lost kids and a shadow puppet made from human skin that sounds brilliant on paper, but in reality was not executed as well as it could've been as a horror film. It's not a bad film, but it's not great as well, because in the film's own struggle between being a horror film and a more arthouse/thought provoking one, it kind of got caught in the middle, not fully satisfying the needs of both or even either genre. Still, it holds plenty of value for cinephiles, especially in Dain Said's visual flair, which can be experienced in abundance here. Even when the CGI is a bit dodgy, fans of horror maestros like Lucio Fulci will find plenty to admire in Dain's depictions of the netherworld, beyond the wayang kulit's screen, and there are some shots here that will wow viewers just like he did in Bunohan. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malay Mail's Top 10 Picks: ‘Gayong' fights its way into the Top 3 as ‘Blood Brothers: Bara Naga' loses its long-held crown
KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — After four consecutive weeks at No. 1, local cinematic hit Blood Brothers: Bara Naga has slipped to the second spot at the box office — though its popularity shows no signs of waning, remaining a hot topic nationwide. This week also marks the debut of another highly anticipated local film, Gayong. The movie stars the acclaimed Beto Kusyairy, a familiar face in Malaysian cinema, in a biographical role as the late Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman, revered grandmaster of Silat Gayong Malaysia. Beyond the silver screen, there's plenty more to enjoy this weekend. Whether you're looking for top series on Netflix and Viu, discovering what's trending on Spotify, or planning to unwind with an engaging book, Malay Mail has curated a selection of our top picks for you to explore. Top 10 films in local cinemas (Domestic & International) (May 8 to May 11) Thunderbolts Blood Brothers: Bara Naga Gayong A Gilded Game Tourist Family Until Dawn Retro Almarhum Telaga Suriram A Minecraft Movie Source: GSC Top 10 streaming on Netflix and Viu (May 5 to May 11) Netflix (Top 10 TV) TV Series The Haunted Palace: Season 1 Resident Playbook: Limited Series Weak Hero: Class 2 Heavenly Ever After: Limited Series The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic: Season 1 Weak Hero: Class 1 The Eternaut: Season 1 When Life Gives You Tangerines: Limited Series Rekaman Terlarang: Season 1 Ms. Rachel: Season 1 Source: Netflix Top 10 Viu (Top 10 shows) Sugar Daddy Pabila Dia Tersenyum The Haunted Palace Bidaah Running Man (2025) Crushology 101 Undercover High School Pump Up the Healthy Love Twinkling Watermelon Only for Love 以爱为营 Source: Viu Frontpage Top 10 songs of the week (Spotify) (May 7 to May 14) JENNIE - like JENNIE Nadeera - Bukan Lagi Kita Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER yung kai - blue Ara Johari - Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain Tenxi - Garam & Madu (Sakit Dadaku) (w/ Jemsi, Naykilla) Lady Gaga - Die With A Smile (w/ Bruno Mars) Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER NIKI - You'll Be in My Heart - Spotify Singles MikkyZia - Aku Dah Lupa (w/ F4dli) Top 10 Malay songs of the week (Spotify) (May 7 to May 14) Faris Adam - Stecu Stecu Ara Johari - Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain Nadeera - Bukan Lagi Kita Noh Salleh - Rahsia Tuhan Imran Ajmain - Seribu Tahun Lagi NAKI, Fahimi - Masa Dayang Nurfaizah, Faizal Tahir, Tuju, Yonnyboii - X Missing U MikkyZia, F4dli - Aku Dah Lupa Tenxi - Garam & Madu (Sakit Dadaku) (w/ Jemsi, Naykilla) Nuh - Teruntuk Mia Source: and Spotify Top 10 books of the week (May 2 to May 8) Fiction King of Envy by Ana Huang (Bloom Books) Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (Harper Perennial) Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi (Storytide) Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Pan Macmillan) The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida (Orion) Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Pan Macmillan) Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (Random House US) Library of Lost Hearts by N.F. Afrina (N.F Afrina) The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (Harper) Non-Fiction I'm Not Lazy, I'm on Energy Saving Mode by Dancing Snail (apop books) Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson (St. Martin's Essentials) Once Upon a Miao (Remastered): I Love My Hometown by Jian Goh (Space Voyager) Atomic Habits by James Clear (Penguin Books) The Not To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli (Atlantic Books ) Once Upon a Miao 2 (Remastered): Crushes, Friendship & Chaos by Jian Goh (Space Voyager) Learn Malay in 7 Days by Mohd Ibrahim (Crescent News) I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee (Penerbit Haru) I Decided to Live as Me by Kim Suhyun (Apop Books) The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma (HarperCollins) Mutiara Minda (Malay Novels) Thariq Ridzuwan Commando's: His Treasure by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Dia Imamku by Siti Rosmizah (Siti Rosmizah Publication SDN BHD) Mi Linda by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Rumah Untuk Alie by Lenn Liu (Media Inspirasi Nusantara Sdn Bhd) Mi Diosa by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Tuan Ziyad: Forbidden Love by Bellesa (Idea Kreatif) Mi Veneno 2 by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Ammar Zahrain: The Obsessive Husband by Nssignature (Idea Kreatif) Mi Veneno 1 by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Yes! Captain Zul Aaryan by Wnfhanna (Idea Kreatif) Source: MPH
Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Malay Mail's Top 10 Picks: ‘Gayong' fights its way into the Top 3 as ‘Blood Brothers: Bara Naga' loses its long-held crown
KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — After four consecutive weeks at No. 1, local cinematic hit Blood Brothers: Bara Naga has slipped to the second spot at the box office — though its popularity shows no signs of waning, remaining a hot topic nationwide. This week also marks the debut of another highly anticipated local film, Gayong. The movie stars the acclaimed Beto Kusyairy, a familiar face in Malaysian cinema, in a biographical role as the late Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman, revered grandmaster of Silat Gayong Malaysia. Beyond the silver screen, there's plenty more to enjoy this weekend. Whether you're looking for top series on Netflix and Viu, discovering what's trending on Spotify, or planning to unwind with an engaging book, Malay Mail has curated a selection of our top picks for you to explore. Top 10 films in local cinemas (Domestic & International) (May 8 to May 11) Thunderbolts Blood Brothers: Bara Naga Gayong A Gilded Game Tourist Family Until Dawn Retro Almarhum Telaga Suriram A Minecraft Movie Source: GSC Top 10 streaming on Netflix and Viu (May 5 to May 11) Netflix (Top 10 TV) TV Series The Haunted Palace: Season 1 Resident Playbook: Limited Series Weak Hero: Class 2 Heavenly Ever After: Limited Series The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic: Season 1 Weak Hero: Class 1 The Eternaut: Season 1 When Life Gives You Tangerines: Limited Series Rekaman Terlarang: Season 1 Ms. Rachel: Season 1 Source: Netflix Top 10 Viu (Top 10 shows) Sugar Daddy Pabila Dia Tersenyum The Haunted Palace Bidaah Running Man (2025) Crushology 101 Undercover High School Pump Up the Healthy Love Twinkling Watermelon Only for Love 以爱为营 Source: Viu Frontpage Top 10 songs of the week (Spotify) (May 7 to May 14) JENNIE - like JENNIE Nadeera - Bukan Lagi Kita Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER yung kai - blue Ara Johari - Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain Tenxi - Garam & Madu (Sakit Dadaku) (w/ Jemsi, Naykilla) Lady Gaga - Die With A Smile (w/ Bruno Mars) Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER NIKI - You'll Be in My Heart - Spotify Singles MikkyZia - Aku Dah Lupa (w/ F4dli) Top 10 Malay songs of the week (Spotify) (May 7 to May 14) Faris Adam - Stecu Stecu Ara Johari - Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain Nadeera - Bukan Lagi Kita Noh Salleh - Rahsia Tuhan Imran Ajmain - Seribu Tahun Lagi NAKI, Fahimi - Masa Dayang Nurfaizah, Faizal Tahir, Tuju, Yonnyboii - X Missing U MikkyZia, F4dli - Aku Dah Lupa Tenxi - Garam & Madu (Sakit Dadaku) (w/ Jemsi, Naykilla) Nuh - Teruntuk Mia Source: and Spotify Top 10 books of the week (May 2 to May 8) Fiction King of Envy by Ana Huang (Bloom Books) Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (Harper Perennial) Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi (Storytide) Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Pan Macmillan) The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida (Orion) Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Pan Macmillan) Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (Random House US) Library of Lost Hearts by N.F. Afrina (N.F Afrina) The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (Harper) Non-Fiction I'm Not Lazy, I'm on Energy Saving Mode by Dancing Snail (apop books) Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson (St. Martin's Essentials) Once Upon a Miao (Remastered): I Love My Hometown by Jian Goh (Space Voyager) Atomic Habits by James Clear (Penguin Books) The Not To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli (Atlantic Books ) Once Upon a Miao 2 (Remastered): Crushes, Friendship & Chaos by Jian Goh (Space Voyager) Learn Malay in 7 Days by Mohd Ibrahim (Crescent News) I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee (Penerbit Haru) I Decided to Live as Me by Kim Suhyun (Apop Books) The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma (HarperCollins) Mutiara Minda (Malay Novels) Thariq Ridzuwan Commando's: His Treasure by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Dia Imamku by Siti Rosmizah (Siti Rosmizah Publication SDN BHD) Mi Linda by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Rumah Untuk Alie by Lenn Liu (Media Inspirasi Nusantara Sdn Bhd) Mi Diosa by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Tuan Ziyad: Forbidden Love by Bellesa (Idea Kreatif) Mi Veneno 2 by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Ammar Zahrain: The Obsessive Husband by Nssignature (Idea Kreatif) Mi Veneno 1 by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Yes! Captain Zul Aaryan by Wnfhanna (Idea Kreatif) Source: MPH
