Duan Nago Bogho, a film about principles and dignity
Sabri’s latest manuscript has a deep layer of meaning behind its simple storyline. – Image courtesy of Kalamarif Holdings Sdn Bhd
MOVIES are often misinterpreted because the audience is unable to understand the discourse that the director is trying to highlight, so many will talk about the message from the movie they watch. The director is not the postman who brings the message.
The film director gives his thoughts through the produced script. What needs to be understood is the thought that the director is trying to convey.
That’s what the artist Sabri Yunus said when he produced his latest script, Duan Nago Bogho
Action movies are one of the most popular genres in Malaysia. However, not many producers dare to produce an action film that also elevates traditional Malay art, not to mention Mak Yong which may be very foreign to the younger generation.
The courage of film producer Duan Nago Bogho, Colonel Bersekutu (PA) Arisz Ab Rahman to finance an action film that also elevates Mak Yong’s art should be praised and emulated by other producers.
Featuring actor Asrul Faizal as the lead, the film also features a cast of great actors such as Datuk Rosyam Nor, Jojo Goh and Sangeeta Krishnasamy.
Sabri’s latest manuscript has a deep layer of meaning behind its simple storyline. It can be said that all the characters in the movie are important even though the ones that stand out the most are Duan or Redhuan. If one of the characters is killed in the middle of the story, it will spoil the story line.
Although Duan Nago Bogho promotes the traditional arts of Kelantan and the actors also almost all speak in Kelantan accents, it will not make it difficult for the audience to understand.
The fight in this movie is not just fighting and punching until stabbing but the characters are also fighting with each other.
Duan, for example, fought with himself in defending Mak Yong’s art which was considered to belong only to Kelantan Malays by allowing other races to learn and play the role of Pak Yong.
Two people who care a lot about dignity. When performing on the Mak Yong stage, Duan allowed the audience to laugh at him who was in character. However, don’t ever disturb Mak Yong’s performance.
The film also opens with Duan’s action on Mak Yong’s stage entertaining the audience with his funny character. However, because the performance was interrupted due to the rude behavior of a male audience member who was bothering someone else’s wife, Duan jumped from Mak Yong’s stage and hit the man.
Duan Nago Bogho is a film about principles and dignity. It is also a story about struggle and stakes. Each character in this film ‘fights’ and ‘risks’ everything in order to achieve their respective goals. Defending dignity underlies the plot and development of this film.
As a result of the fight, Duan was asked by his father and mother to leave his hometown. Duan goes to Kuala Lumpur with his cousin Awi (Saidi Sabri), an art promoter. Also in Kuala Lumpur, Duan meets his old friend, Nulik (Hushairi Husin), who is involved in the gangster world.
In Kuala Lumpur, Awi chose to ‘fight’ with traditional art and business. Nulik ‘fights’ in a bigger arena than in Kelantan. Duan himself is ‘fighting’ between the requests of his cousin and his best friend.
Mak Yong and fighting for Duan is like being invited to a tahlil ceremony. Both must be fulfilled, otherwise it will make him feel guilty. In the film, Duan had a dialogue about the matter.
Besides these three characters, other characters also ‘fight’ with themselves in this film. Mrs Ang (Angeline Tan), is trapped in the past history of her husband Jimmy Ang (Prof Dr Lim Swee Tin) who once lived in a dark world. Mrs. Ang is also a mother who is always ‘fighting’ with anxiety due to the revenge of Fendi Bukit Bintang (Datuk Rosyam Nor) against her daughter Nancy (Jojo Goh) who had to flee abroad and change her face.
Jimmy Ang also ‘fights’ with his past as Pak Situng in Menora art and a gangster who has now washed his hands. Fendi Bukit Bintang ‘fights’ with revenge for the death of his younger brother to the extent that he is willing to do anything to claim the death penalty.
Pok Su Ki (Sabri Yunus) ‘fights’ between loyalty to his fellow Kelantans and gangster work which he considers a business.
Salmi (Sangeeta Khrisnasamy) ‘fights’ with her love for Mak Yong and the man who is skilled in Mak Yong’s art. He also ‘fights’ with Nancy in an effort to win the heart of Duan who before that never knew the meaning of love.
The story of love and revenge, even if it is only shown a little compared to the art, is still a strength in this film. The film moves fast but does not interfere with the story line. It is reinforced with simple but meaningful dialogue.
Duan Nago Bogho is a Malaysian film that raises the story of this country’s art and the stories that surround us.
In Duan Nago Bogho, Sabri not only raised Mak Yong’s art but did not forget the world of literature by making the National Writers Association (PENA) Home Area the location. Dewan Usman Awang where Mak Yong’s Training, Anjung Khalid Salleh where discussions take place and Sutung Umar RS Stage where performances take place.
The film Duan Nago Bogho produced by the production company Kalamarif Holdings Sdn Bhd will meet the audience on January 19.
Quoting Sabri’s words, he is only a cook who prepares a meal while the producer is the owner of a restaurant who opens the door to customers (viewers) to enjoy a meal.
Personally I really like this movie. It’s a Malaysian film that doesn’t forget its origins. Even though the premise is Mak Yong and the people of Kelantan, the thought is about all of us Malaysians.
Congratulations to Sabri and Kalamarif Holding Sdn Bhd. Duan Nago Bogho proves that Sabri is an artist who dares to create without having to expect popular formulas that others often use.
