KNOWN for films that are "different", director Areel Abu Bakar is once again presenting a gritty action film titled 'Pungut and set in a most unlikely place.
Areel, whose previous 'anti-hero' action films included 'Geran' and 'Walid', told 'Harian Metro' in a recent interview that 'Pungut', which literally means "pick up", highlights contemporary issues facing Malaysian society and contains many implicit references from start to end.
FILMED DURING MCO
Areel said the film was produced during the movement control order (MCO) three years ago, and the idea had come to him while Malaysians were ordered to stay at home.
"From there, I read various news articles and reports on the hardships faced by Malaysians, especially in semi-urban areas.
"Coincidentally, I was in Langkawi at that time and filming had been allowed again but with strict standard operating procedures in place," he recounted.
He said there had been many incidents that he witnessed in his neighbourhood, which have been included in this film one way or another.
"All these occurrences have continuously popped up in my mind since then, and that is why I have tried to convey them to moviegoers in the form of 'Pungut'."
LANDFILL LOCATION
Areel and his crew filmed 'Pungut' at a landfill in Langkawi, Kedah.
It became a real challenge for all those involved in the production, including its star-studded cast.
He said it is important to remember that the landfill and its foul smells are the end result of a consumerist lifestyle.
"Even if it is an unsightly place, the location actually has a lot of interesting stories to tell."
Areel pays no heed to "naysayers" who find the film's setting "unsightly and rotten".
"I have chosen to ignore them as they are judging it on a superficial level.
"'Pungut' challenges us to think deeply and look at the gritty existence of people who live on the margins of society and struggle for survival," he said.
INSPIRING DEBATES
Areel is leaving it to the audiences to discover the meanings behind each scene and character in 'Pungut'.
"The story may refer to any community in the country. Perhaps a village committee, a mosque committee, a local council or even the office of an elected representative.
"Viewers, as individuals, may come to varied conclusions on what the story is about, and I love differences and debates because they enrich the cinematic experience."
FINDING HIS COMFORT ZONE
Yusran Hashim, who plays Baha in the film, said: "I had to put myself in the most comfortable position in every scene. Whatever the place, my character had to always remain calm because that is how he is all the time."
In fact, Yusran did his own research for the role by going to the landfill and observing how people work there every day.
Veteran actor Ruzaidi Abdul Rahman said working with Areel is always a good opportunity to explore new concepts and ideas.
"Areel gives me the freedom to interpret my character. At the same time, he controls my portrayal of this character, so that I don't run away from how he is meant to be in the story.
"I also gave him lots of suggestions on how to improve my character. It there were action scenes which I felt were awkward, I would give him feedback on how the scenes could be improved."
SQUATTER LIFE
'Pungut' tells the story of Salleh, a loner who leaves the "crowded, deceitful and sinful" life of the big city to live in a squatter settlement near a landfill.
While his new life is relatively peaceful, he discovers that some squatters are engaged in immoral activities such as extortion, gambling and alcoholism, although they don't cause trouble for him.
These neighbours include Omar and Li Cekoroi who sell alcoholic drinks, Baha who is a gangster-for-hire, and Man Pening who is a master gambler.
Not long after Salleh comes to the settlement, a crime lord named Din Cengkoi arrives there as well.
Din Cengkoi turns out to be a drug and weapons dealer whose syndicate was recently busted by police in Perak.
He decides to move to Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to further his illegal activities.
Baha is provoked by Din Cengkoi and his henchmen, and wants to drive them out of the settlement.
He believes Din Cengkoi will attract the attention of the authorities, resulting in the demolition of the squatter settlement.
Baha attempts to incite the squatters to fight Din Cengkoi, but no one dares to confront the crime lord for fear of getting killed.
The two-hour movie also stars Aman Graseka, Fad Anuar, Aliff Yasraf and Megat Sharizal.
'Pungut' is currently running in cinemas nationwide.