FOR the first time, popular film director Datuk Dr Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri has creates a "three-in-one" movie specially for fans of romance, comedy and action.
Boasting a star-studded cast headlined by actor, singer, television host and entrepreneur Alif Satar and model-actress Sophia Albarakbah, 'Reeza GTR' opens in cinemas around Malaysia and Brunei on Oct 17.
A collaboration between Grand Brilliance Studios and Primeworks Studios 'Reeza GTR' promises to pump up the adrenaline of audiences in both countries.
Better still, it pays glowing tribute to the Scouts and silat exponents.
SCHOOLDAYS
At the recent press preview of 'Reeza' in GSC Mid Valley Megamall, Ahmad Idham said that as one who joined the Scouts and watched silat exponents in action during his schooldays, he had chosen to honour the two extra-curricular activities which helped "shape' him later in life.
"From the Scouts, I learnt leadership qualities, responsibility, keeping my word, helping others, being resourceful and being self-reliant.
"And from befriending silat masters, I learnt to toughen up and face life's physical and mental challenges like a 'real man'."
Ahmad Idham said that 'Reeza' tells the story of an unexpected encounter that changes the life of a young car repossessor named Reeza, played by Alif.
The 30-year-old single man works in a car repossession company owned by his eccentric family friend Farish (Cat Farish).
His life changes when he discovers a beautiful young woman named Myra (Sophia Albarakbah) in the boot of one of his repossessed cars.
LANDOWNER
Reeza learns that Myra is on the run from a roguish silat master and village landowner Din (Ropie) who has forced her kindly father Manan (Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof), an honest-to-goodness silat master, to marry his equally roguish son Ikhwan (Noki) by duping him into signing a one-sided contract to the detriment of his family.
Before Myra can explain her whole story, Din's gangsters come in hot pursuit of her, and Reeza who is a dedicated Scout chooses to help Myra flee to safety in his home village in Kuala Langat, Selangor.
There he seeks the help of his foster mother (Mas Anizan) and foster sister (Nelissa Nizam), as well as fellow villagers to help Eman and Myra thwart Din, Ikhwan and their gang who are determined to make the wedding happen at all costs.
'Reeza' also stars Yassin Yahya, Niezam Zaidi and Man of Raja Lawak.
FATED
Ahmad Idham said: "The message behind this film is that some things in life are fated by God, and sometimes, random meetings between people can change one's fortunes for the better.
"We shot it in four different locations namely Kuala Langat, Port Dickson, Bentong and Alor Gajah, and this gives it magnificent scenery."
Ahmad Idham also said that the ensemble headed by Alif and Sophia did a stellar job throughout the month-long filming last February, and it was great to see Sophia pushing herself hard to play an action heroine who holds her own against the rough baddies in several fight scenes.
THROWBACKS
The film has a few minor throwbacks to Ahmad Idham's previous films such as 'Impak Maksima', and this is a deliberate gimmick to promote its sequel 'Impak Maksima 2' which will hit cinemas at year end.
Alif also has his catchy "teeny bopper" song, 'Jangan Nakal', performed in one of the light-hearted scenes.
BREAKTHROUGH
Sophia, 31, said that she would always remember 'Reeza' as a milestone and breakthrough in her acting career.
"All this while, I've played either sweeties, spoilt rich girls or the occasional boyfriend-stealers on TV.
"Playing Myra is a quantum leap of sorts, as Myra is a lot stronger than my usual characters.
"I hope that fans will accept my gradual migration to more diverse movie roles."
HONEST
While Myra is different from Sophia, the actress loves her character as she is pretty good in silat as her father is a master of the martial art.
"Myra is honest and principled. She is a girl on a mission, looking for something that's important to her family. As a result, she gets pursued by thuggish men who have an axe to grind against her father," she said.
Sophia said that she enjoyed doing her own stunts in several scenes of the movie.
Nelissa, who co-starred with Sophia in Saka Perawan, said that they had great fun in both movies.
"We get along great as both of us love to play girls with attitude," she said.
SECOND
Alif said that his character Reeza was an honest-to-goodness young man who was not very ambitious and lives one day at a time.
"But all that changes after he rescues Myra and helps her on her mission.
"It is here that they learn from each other and he finds purpose in life," said Alif.
Mas Anizan said that she was marking her comeback to the big screen after a three-decade hiatus. 'Reeza' is her second film after 'Antara Gadis' which was screened in 1993.