"Gayong" wants to bring Malay cultural heritage onto screen

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"Gayong" wants to bring Malay cultural heritage onto screen

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Writer: Heidi Hsia

"Gayong" celebrates silat heritage

10 Apr - "Gayong" is not just your typical martial arts film, but was inspired by the founder of the Pertubuhan Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia (PSSGM), Mahaguru Allahyarham Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman (ADMAR).

Speaking to the media following the wrap-up of the film recently, director Faisal Ishak said that he has made the film not just for the sake of it being an action flick, but a way to promote Malay cultural heritage onto the big screen.

"As the founder of Silat Seni Gayong, ADMAR was not just a warrior, but a teacher who brought in a philosophy about martial arts and life. So, I needed to make sure that the storyline captures his spirit, his struggles and sacrifices in championing the arts," he said.

The stars of the upcoming movie include Beto Kusyairy, Syafie Naswip and Nabila Huda

To ensure that the film is authentic to its theme, each cast member had to undergo intensive training under the guidance of action director Yayan Ruhian as well as Gayong's experienced silat coach. According to him, this approach is important to ensure that every movement, technique and philosophy of silat is presented authentically and with full respect for Malay cultural heritage.

"The training not only teaches them basic movements, but also helps the actors understand the discipline, movement structure, as well as the spirit inside every step of Gayong," he said.

It is noted that the production had already received approval from many parties in creating the movie, including ADMAR's own family members, as well as the Silat Gayong society themselves, PSSGM.

The movie stars Beto Kusyairy, Syafie Naswip, Nabila Huda, as well as Indonesian actor Yayan Ruhian.