PETALING JAYA: Promising young director Syafiq Yusof has cast his elder brother and fellow filmmaker Syamsul in a haunting yet thought-provoking movie about a man "left all alone in the world".
This film, a first of its kind for Skop Productions, is titled Desolasi (Desolation) and is set to be screened in cinemas after Hari Raya.
“Syamsul is the protagonist of the movie, and his character is seemingly ‘the last human left stading after an apocalypse’.
“Viewers get to see two versions of our hero’s activities - one with interactions between him and real people, and another where he is all alone and appears to be talking to spirits,” said Syafiq went met at the Press screening of Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto Bukan Mat Rempit recently, which he co-directed with Pekin of Bunohan fame.
Desolasi uses 60 per cent Computer Generated Images (CGI) and its underlying message is about one’s search for direction and meaning in life.
“Syamsul’s character may be perfectly normal, but he is traumatised and sees things others don’t see. Alternatively, he is a sick man who cannot distinguish fact from fiction as a result of his illness. It’s going to be a pretty plot-twisting story and it’ll be great for moviegoers who love great character-acting.”
Besides Syamsul, Desolasi also stars Pilih Kasih 1 graduate Nabila Dally (Seru and Gila-Gila Remaja 2), Pekin Ibrahim, Aida Khalida and Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan.
Syafiq said he fell ill during the shooting of the film in late 2014, but made a speedy recovery and wrapped it up in two months.
While Desolasi is his most "intriguing" story to date, Syafiq admits that his most awaited movie for 2016 is Abang Long Fadil 2, a gangster comedy which is a spin-off of KL Gangster and KL Gangster 2 which starred Syamsul.
“Zizan Razak will be back as Abang Long Fadil, and this time it is twice the action, twice the adventure and twice the laughs. Our zany hero is mistaken by the police and some gangs as a ruthless assassin, and he has to prove that this is a case of mistaken identity by looking for the real assassin,” said Syafiq.
“Syamsul will be appearing in Abang Long Fadil 2, too, but instead of playing the ruthless gangster named Shark from the KL Gangster movies, he now takes on the role of a no-nonsense cop.”
Syafiq is delighted to note that his father, producer Datuk Yusof Haslam, will also make a cameo appearance in Abang Long Fadil 2. “Just as Syamsul and I have appeared in his popular police series Gerak Khas on TV, he is reciprocating our move by appearing in my gangster comedy. His character is a surprise for fans, though.”
Syafiq is currently promoting Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto Bukan Mat Rempit which is currently showing in cinemas.
Written by Pekin, it tells the story of a motorcycle enthusiast who sets out on a journey around Peninsular Malaysia to obtain four helmets desired by his late best friend.
He is accompanied by a young girl who makes a documentary about motorcycle enthusiasts, and he educates her that motorcycle lovers are not necessarily Mat Rempit (illegal motor racers).
Mat Moto stars Pekin, Falisha Crossley, Cat Farish, Kamarul Yusoof, Faizal Hussein, Syamsul, Shaheizy Sam and Datuk Rosyam Nor.