BLENDING science fiction with romance, Imaginur stands out in Malaysian cinema for its innovative storytelling and heartfelt themes.
Produced by Lumatic Films and helmed by director Nik Amir Mustapha, the film captivated audiences with its unique narrative, earning widespread recognition.
At the recent 33rd Malaysian Film Festival (FFM33), Imaginur triumphed as the Best Film, leading the event with 15 nominations — the most for any entry.
It also collected six other awards, including Best Director for Nik Amir, Best Actor for Beto Kusyairy, and accolades for Best Theme Song, Best Art Direction, Best Editing and Best Original Story.
Lumatic Films Sdn Bhd was also awarded the Creative Content Fund worth RM500,000, marking a significant achievement for the team.
LONG AND CHALLENGING JOURNEY
Nik Amir, known for 'KIL, Rise: Ini Kalilah' and 'Nova', shared that Imaginur's script was years in the making.
Co-written with Redza Minhat, the story evolved considerably over time.
"The first draft was written between 2016 and 2017 and focused heavily on hypnosis," Nik Amir told 'Berita Harian'.
"After 11 revisions, it became something deeper — a story with profound emotional impact."
The film's production, however, faced immense hurdles. Just two weeks into filming, the Covid-19 pandemic forced an abrupt halt.
"We had to stop everything and rewrite the entire production plan. Initially, we planned to shoot in Japan, but that had to be scrapped too," he said.
Despite these setbacks, Nik Amir viewed the challenges as blessings in disguise.
The forced revisions pushed the creative team to deliver a more refined and meaningful final product.
SLOW START, STUNNING FINISH
'Imaginur' faced a tough road to success. Released during a competitive period, it struggled for attention against established crowd-pullers like Didi & Friends.
"We initially planned for a grand premiere a week before the release, but the halls were fully booked," Nik Amir shared.
"Instead, we organised a smaller screening for media, which helped generate positive buzz early on."
The film opened in only 70 cinemas — half the number typically given to major releases. Yet, against all odds, it steadily gained momentum.
"Word-of-mouth and glowing reviews worked wonders. Audiences appreciated the film, and cinemas eventually increased its screenings.
"At the time, 'Ant-Man' wasn't performing as expected, so we were lucky to secure more slots," he added.
Thanks to its growing reputation, 'Imaginur' ultimately achieved a remarkable box office collection of RM6 million, solidifying its place as a sleeper hit.
HEARTFELT THEMES THAT CONNECT
Lead actress Diana Danielle admitted she initially had reservations about the film's chances.
"Nik Amir was concerned about whether audiences would pick 'Imaginur' over bigger titles like Upin & Ipin and Didi & Friends," she said.
"But we believed in the story and worked hard to promote it. Alhamdulillah, our efforts paid off."
Diana said Imaginur's success lies in its emotional depth.
"This film is about love, family, and memories. It's not just about the story — it's about the feelings it evokes in the audience. Word-of-mouth truly made the difference."
INSPIRED BY PERSONAL STORIES
Co-writer Redza Minhat revealed that the story was inspired by his grandmother, who battled Alzheimer's disease, a condition characterised by memory loss and cognitive decline.
"In the early drafts, we focused on hypnosis. Later, we realised we could connect it to memory loss, which hit close to home," Redza explained.
"My grandmother couldn't remember much, but she always recognised my grandfather. That inspired us to explore love and memory in the film."
Redza also shared his personal concerns about the hereditary nature of Alzheimer's, which fuelled his dedication to the story.
"Writing the initial script was quick, but refining it took years.
"Nik Amir and I argued endlessly to make sure we got it right," he said, crediting Nik Amir for his vision and execution.
LABOUR OF LOVE
Ultimately, 'Imaginur' is more than a film — it's a testament to creativity, perseverance and storytelling that resonates deeply.
Despite numerous challenges, it struck a chord with audiences through its unique blend of sci-fi elements, emotional themes and an unmistakable Malaysian touch.
The success of 'Imaginur' is not just a victory for its creators, but for local cinema as a whole.