Writer: Wahiduzzaman

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Effects: NA
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Watch this if you liked: "Anak Halal"

This shout out goes to all Kelantanese out there - "Budak Kelantan", an urban drama that realistically explores the lifestyles of young Kelantanese people in Kuala Lumpur, is just the kind of movie that might make essential viewing for you.

The movie, inspired by writer-cum-director Wan Azli Wan Jusoh's experiences, follows two subplots; one about the good and the other about the bad. It has a strong half an hour but the excitement doesn't last until the end. The climax is also problematic and it ruined the early thrill. I believe that Wan Azli and his team could've picked a better ending.

Kelantanese trio Danny, Bienda and newcomer Asrulfaizal look compelling in their roles. Danny, with more acting experience in hand, put down a good portrayal for Buchek, an innocent and softhearted university student who came to Kuala Lumpur for a good purpose. Opposite Buchek, there's Jaha (Asrulfaizal), the misfit youngster who is apparently a long time friend of Buchek from Kelantan. As a new film actor, this bloke did an impressive job for the role. His spontaneous and natural acting invites disgust and hatred from the audience. He's a star in the making and should be someone to look for in the industry soon. Of the trio, Bienda seems to lose the spotlight. It's understandable that her role as Che Nor is more like a supporting component to Buchek and Jaha but her acting doesn't leave any impact on the story. It's just an average portrayal and it's easy to forget.

One thing to look for is the colour treatment in "Budak Kelantan". It's raw and grainy. Plus, the camera work utilises the Cloverfield-Blair Witch effect and this fits the story very well. It enhances the experience for the audience while giving the audience a chance to believe the story is authentic. It's a commendable effort indeed.

Overall, the movie is a good attempt for a newcomer like Wan Azli. He manages to bring out the realism with raw touches to the story. If you enjoy Osman Ali's "Anak Halal", this one is a good follow-up viewing to that movie. If that's not enough for you, at least you can enjoy the Kelantanese dialect by which the movie is presented in.

Cinema Online, 28 October 2008