INNOCENT romance between schoolgirl and drug pusher amidst a backdrop of lust and intoxication — that’s how we’d describe Pekak. It’s gritty but pretty, thrilling but heartwarming; our review of the film was the first in a string of praise for its bold themes, vivid imagery and technical competence. It’ll interest you that the film has been banned in Brunei because it allegedly does not contain moral values and was deemed a negative influence!
Pekak opened on Thursday and is currently playing in 49 cinemas across Malaysia. But you know how it works over here: films that go on wide release need to have a healthy showing in their first weeks before cinemas do away with them. Here to help you make a more informed decision on whether or not to watch this film are these reviews we’ve compiled, Metacritic-style. For the benefit of those who’ve just arrived, here’s a quick brief on the new film.
Description
Directed by Kroll Azry | Produced by Lightbulb Pictures
Starring Zahiril Adzim, Sharifah Sakinah, Iedil Putra, Sharifah Amani and Amerul Affendi
Sebuah kisah romantik yang menemukan seorang pengedar dadah pekak yang berusaha untuk mendengar secara normal bersama seorang gadis sekolah naif yang ingin bebas daripada kongkongan bapanya.
96 minutes | In cinemas now! | Showtimes & dates | Facebook
Reviews
“Risque, gut-wrenching and often breath-taking, Pekak is going to be on your year-end lists.”
“Ini sebuah filem kategori “mesti tonton” […] Antara filem terbaik Malaysia tahun ini.”
“Silalah bawa semua orang yang sepatutnya untuk menyokong produksi tempatan macam ni. Percayalah yang aku tak tipu bila aku kata filem ni bagus. Kalau aku tipu, aku berdosa.”
“While it is a simple love story, it is a mesmerising cinematic journey that resonates with the real world, thanks to the great acting, particularly Zahiril and Amani.”
“Tontonlah. Mungkin ada sesuatu yang perlu kita tahu ada di dalam filem ini.”
“Percubaan Khairul Azri sangat cemerlang walaupun pertama kali mengarah.”
“…Khairul Azri, sebagai generasi pembikin filem baru, berjaya memberikan suatu suara segar dan menghiburkan melalui filem arahan pertamanya ini dengan gaya yang sifatnya natural, visual ekspresif yang lantang, dengan suaranya yang tersendiri, tanpa dipengaruhi oleh stereotypical cinematic form sinema Malaysia ataupun mana-mana suara pengarah lain yang mungkin dilihat sebagai mentornya…”
“An edgy Malaysian drama about exploitation that will break your heart.”
“…Pekak membawa penonton ke dunia gelap yang menjadi kian kelam, dan bila kau tak dapat meneka apa yang bakal terjadi, mungkin kau akan rasa terhibur atau kau rasa macam nak tengok cerita jiwang Jepun yang digunakan untuk jual kosmetik berperisa oren kat TV.”
“…somewhat predictable, but your heart can’t help but reel a little every time Othman Hamzah sings ‘… ku mengharapkan cintamu’ in the background.”
“…filem yang okay, tapi aku tidak puas bila perlu ada rasa kurang selesa untuk menonton.”
Festivals
Best Actor for Zahiril Adzim, IMFF Bridge of Arts 2016
Best Script for Alfie Palermo, IMFF Bridge of Arts 2016
Official selection, ASEAN Skies, World Premieres Film Festival Philippines, 2015
Official selection, Malaysia Goes to Cannes, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, 2016
Follow Grand Brilliance on Facebook for more details on the film and to access exclusive content from the film. Also read more about the film in our previous coverage! See any more reviews we haven’t added to this page? Drop us a comment and we’ll put it up right away!
