ROCK legend Datuk Ahmad Azhar Osman, better known as Awie, could have come up with an action drama to mark his debut as a producer, for he "was an action hero".
However, the Wings frontman believes that his action hero days are over and it is time for "new boys" to take up that job.
"I'd rather be a funny chap these days as I am funny at heart," said Awie at the recent press preview of his latest film, the horror-comedy Sue-On, which tells the story of a Korean ghost.
TRIBUTE TO MAMAT
"It's my tribute to my old friend, the late director Mamat Khalid, who directed me in the popular Kampong Pisang film series. I will always be grateful to him for creating Husin, a character tailor-made for me," he said, adding that Sue-On was not set in the fictitious Kampong Pisang, but in a "village next door".
Sue-On, a name inspired by the famous 2002 Japanese horror film Ju-On, is a production of Awie's company Rumah Produksi Merah, with Razif Rashid, or Ajiboy, as its director.
STRANDED SPECTRE
The "educational and funny" two-hour movie is about Sue-On (Reen Rahim), a beautiful Korean ghost in the television, who always comes out of her horror flick after midnight.
One night, a little boy accidentally gets her stranded in the real world by turning his television off before she can return to her film.
Sue-On subsequently "haunts" people in other houses in the village.
Awie said: "Sue-On means no harm. She just wants to get back into her telemovie, but always fails to do so as the television network has not been screening it for sometime."
Awie plays Mat Dosa, a rock-loving man who is tasked by the village's state assemblyman, Datuk Azlee (Azlee Jaafar of Senario), with luring her back into the TV.
"Mat Dosa is a ghost whisperer.
"He advises everyone in his village to be kind and gentle to Sue-On as she is friendly," said Awie.
LOCAL TWISTS
Ajiboy said that he made Sue-On a Korean ghost instead of a Japanese one to reflect Malaysian viewers' love for Korean dramas and films.
"We filmed Sue-On in November and December 2021 in Taiping. Rain was a major challenge since Taiping is the second rainiest town in Malaysia after Kuching."
NO BAD GUYS
Awie wanted a friendly ghost "for a change".
He said: "Ghosts are human, too, so why not make the supposed antagonist a sympathetic character.
"Nothing wrong having a movie with no real bad guys or good guys. That is the reality of life."
Ajiboy said: "Many sad and tragic things happen around us, so why not have a feel good and funny scary movie.
"But then, it is not a 'sit back and enjoy the ride' kind of movie. The ghost also questions human behaviour, she reflects on our weaknesses as modern people."
Ajiboy and Awie chose Taiping as the film's location as they both hail from Perak, just like Mamat.
Ajiboy said: "I'm an Ipoh boy and I often visit my family in Taiping, a beautiful, back-to-nature town."
CAMEOS AND GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS
Awie said the "icing on the cake" was the cameo appearances by Erra Fazira and Wings.
"At first, I did not plan to have Erra in the film, but it so happened that she was free that day.
"As for Wings, my friends always give me their full support."
Reen said it was the first time she was playing a "friendly ghost".
"I have been a deadly ghost before, so being a friendly ghost is a refreshing change. Sue-On is a smart ghost and the villagers learn a thing or two from their encounter with her," she said.
Sue-On also stars Ropie, Sharwani, Alif Rafiq, Shaifullah, Nazia Mustafar, Joey Daud, Achey, Amy Nur Tinie and Kamarul Yusoff.
Sue-On is currently screening in cinemas nationwide.