The main cast of the film; (L-R) Brendan Yuen, KK Wong, Andrea Lee, Frankie Lee, Michael Chuah and Mark Chee.

Malaysian director-actor Michael Chuah is back with his latest action comedy, "Special Forces", starring award-winning actor Uncle Frankie Lee alongside talented comedians like KK Wong, Mark Chee, Brendan Yuen and Chuah himself!

Inspired by Malaysia's very own Rukun Tetangga, the film is about a group of people, mostly retirees, who form a neighbourhood watch due to the rising crime rates. Like all of Chuah's previous films, "Special Forces" which is Chuah's fourth directorial, combines comedy and martial arts, but this is the first time that Chuah and his team will be introducing swords and weapons into the mix!

Since this movie will be released during Chinese New Year week and it will be competing with other Hong Kong blockbusters, how do you think this film can outshine the others?

Michael Chuah: Personally, I believe that when you watch a local Chinese New Year film, it feels closer to home and reality. Even the topic of the film deals with the current issues that are happening in Malaysian society.

Hong Kong films are mostly fantasy-based so it is not very relatable to us Malaysians, so that is one of the strengths of the film.

What inspired you to make this film?

I stayed in Petaling Jaya. There was a few times when I went out to eat, I saw a group of people – mostly uncles – holding sticks and patrolling the street. Apparently, the Rukun Tetangga – similar to U.K.'s Neighbourhood Watch – still exists today, but many youngsters are unaware of its existence.

I even saw a lot of banners being put up as they are recruiting more volunteers to help safeguard the neighbourhood as the crime rates today have been increasing.

So, basically the story is about this group of people who are mostly retirees, helping the society at their own free time.

The cast give us their best fighting pose!

Do you also have a Kung Fu background?

Yes, I grew up watching a lot Jackie Chan films. He was the one who inspired me to take up martial arts.

Did you also choreograph all of the fighting sequences in the movie?

I choreographed it together with my team, which is also inspired by Jackie Chan's method who has his own stunt team, so we kind of followed his footsteps.

What is the main message of this film?

So basically, Uncle Frankie plays the leader of the Special Forces team. He feels that nowadays the people of society no longer care about each other.

Therefore, the message that the film tries to convey is that the responsibility of the security of our society is not just up to the police and government, it is also our responsibility to make society a better place for everyone to live in.

Everything that happens in society is part of our problem and we are part of the solution, so hopefully we can learn to help one another.

Chuah had learned martial arts at a young age.

In what way can this film appeal to other races?

My film is considered an action comedy so there are quite a number of action scenes in the film. Like what Jackie Chan always says, action films do not have a language barrier because it relies more on the visuals and stunts.

We incorporated good action scenes in the film and hopefully people from different races can enjoy it as well, similar to "Ip Man 3" which became the highest grossing Chinese film in Malaysia.

What is your next project?

My next project is also going to be an action comedy, because this genre is very well received among Malaysians and it is also our forte.

I'm going to start the shooting somewhere in May or June of this year. I can't give more details, but basically the story will take place in a university campus and it will also be about a group of people who have to take care of some problems that are taking place at the university.

"Special Forces" comes to cinemas nationwide on 4 February 2016.