KUALA LUMPUR – Who doesn’t love a football-based movie? Especially when it’s about the beautiful game that unites people from all walks of life.
Datuk Afdlin Shauki, the veteran Malaysian filmmaker known for his comedic genius in films like Buli, Sumolah and Papadom, has surprised everyone by venturing into the sports genre with his latest film, Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey.
After proving his mettle in comedy for over two decades, Afdlin tackles a more serious subject, blending his signature humour with an inspiring tale of perseverance and unity.
The film produced by 4wards Pictures Sdn Bhd with a budget of RM5 million is loosely inspired by the national football team and their journey to qualifying for the Asian Football Confederation Cup finals on merit after 42 years.
Afdlin’s ambitious project also delves into the behind-the-scenes events within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) following the departure of former head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who Kim Pan-gon later replaced.
The movie also boasts a stellar line-up of local stars, including Meerqeen, Sophia Albarakbah, Aidil Aziz, Aiman Hakim Redza, Tony Eusoff, Zain Hamid, Vanidah Imran, Erra Fazira, Amelia Henderson, Nam Ron, Bell Ngasri, Kavin Jay and Douglas Lim.
The film kicks off with a bang, diving straight into real events from 2021, where local football fans humiliated Malaysian players and called for FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, portrayed by Tony Eusoff, to step down after the national team’s disappointing performance in the AFF Championship in Singapore.
Director Afdlin starts his screenplay on this sensitive note, then shifts to show the FAM chief under immense pressure, meticulously searching for a suitable replacement for the outgoing national head coach. The script fictionalises moments, even depicting a scene where FAM considers bringing legendary tactician Jose Mourinho on board.
For the first 10 minutes, the film maintains a serious tone, but true to Afdlin’s style, he breaks the tension by introducing comic relief through Ultras Malaya fans. These fans, banned by authorities for six months due to unruly behaviour, resort to hilariously disguising themselves to sneak into a match at the Bukit Jalil National Football Stadium.
Amelia Henderson, who plays Iniya, deserves special credit for more than just her on-screen presence. She portrays an independent woman on a mission to shatter the stereotype that football is a man’s game by joining the Ultras, a role that adds depth to her character.
The story then transitions to the lead role, Rashdan, played by Merqeen, a national footballer battling personal and family issues to reach the pinnacle of his career. The plot follows the appointment of Pan-gon as the national head coach, played by South Korean actor Lee Cha-jun, and how his leadership propels the national team to qualify for the Asian Cup.
While the plot and characters are more than sufficient for a commercial film, it’s also supported by a decent soundtrack by Daniel Veerapen and breathtaking cinematography by Helmi Yusof.
However, despite these positives, the movie lacks soul and connectivity from a sports perspective. It leans heavily on praising the FAM’s contributions and Pan-gon’s leadership, which might leave fans feeling like they’re watching a propaganda film.
The film’s emotional screenplay, revolving around family sentiment, might struggle to hold the audience’s attention due to its dragging pace. The exaggerated celebration of the national team’s mere qualification for the Asian Cup dilutes the substance of the script.
To compensate, the director forces in drama and real-life cameos, like national footballer Faisal Halim, hoping to engross the audience.
Apart from Douglas Lim’s comedy sequences, the rest of the humour falls flat, often descending into cringeworthy territory.
Overall, the film might appeal to neutral audiences, offering a glimpse into the struggles faced by our national team in their quest to qualify for Asia’s most prestigious football tournament.
However, from a sports fan’s perspective, it might leave a bitter taste, questioning the need to celebrate mediocrity. Whether this film will unite audiences and ignite passion for football among the younger generation remains uncertain.
Despite its efforts, the film falls short of the benchmark set by Chiu Keng Guan’s 2016 masterpiece, which celebrated the glories of the Malaysian national football team and their historic qualification for the 1980 Summer Olympics, becoming one of the highest-grossing Malaysian films of all time. – August 16, 2024
Sandru Narayanan is a sportswriter for Scoop
