The Malaysian Insight

AMIRUL Hakimi was willing to endure a three-hour journey with his family from Kota Baru to Kuala Terengganu to catch a movie that revolves around Kelantan culture, owing to the decades-long ban on cinema by the PAS state government.

The 21-year-old said Kelantan people like himself are proud of the movie “Duan Nago Bogho”, which is directed by Sabri Yunus and promotes the traditional art of Mak Yong that has been banned for 28 years by PAS on the grounds of it being inconsistent with Islamic teachings.

However, in 2019, the state government reviewed its decision and said the dance can be performed if it is shariah compliant.

“Duan Nago Bogho” tells the story of Duan, a Mak Yong practitioner who loves his craft, yet is hot-tempered and ends up fighting with others.

“Duan Nago Bogho” has 80% of its dialogue in Kelantan dialect.

Among its stars are Asrul Faizal, Rosyam Nor, Jojo Goh, Husairi Husain, Angeline Tan, Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Issey Fadzlisham and Jason Chong.

It is produced by Kalamarif Holdings Sdn Bhd and opened in cinemas on January 19.

Amirul said some Kelantan folk are willing to travel to Kuantan, Pahang, to catch the film if tickets are sold out in Kuala Terengganu cinemas.

“As Kelantan people, we are proud of the movie that promotes our culture and art,” Amirul told The Malaysian Insight.

Amirul said due to the distance, most Kelantan people would spend the night in Terengganu after catching an evening showing of the movie.

“Most would come on Friday evening, which is the weekend on the east coast, catch the film, and then return on Saturday.

“We had six people in our group. It set us back by a tidy sum as we had to spend on accommodation, food and tickets, which (alone) cost RM17 per person,” he said.

“But it was worth every sen as the film is true and introduces the state to the rest of the country,” he said.

Amirul said he is sad that the film is not being screened in Kelantan, which banned cinemas as they could encourage immoral activities.

“It’s ironic as it celebrates Kelantan culture but we can’t watch it in our own state,” he said.

He said watching a movie in a cinema will not encourage immoral activities.

The call to reinstate cinemas took a new life in the state last year following the phenomenal success of historical film “Mat Kilau” in June.

Following vehement criticism, Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob said the state will reconsider its stance on cinemas in the state.

To date, no decision has been made.

The last cinema in the state was Lido Cinema on Jalan Post Office Lama in Kota Baru before the curtain came down permanently in 1996.

A year later, the cinema was demolished.

Ros Faizal Ahmad, 41, is of the view that cinemas should be allowed in Kelantan.

“Kelantan people need entertainment, and don’t say it (watching movies) is not an activity that does not have meaning.

“This is an activity the whole family could enjoy, and there was nothing immoral about it,” he said.

He said this is the second time he has made the trip to Kuala Terengganu to catch a film, the last being “Mat Kilau” last year.

Lotus Five Star Cinemas (LFS) Kuala Terengganu manager Mohd Zulmajdi Razali said there has been a tremendous response to “Duan Nago Bogho” from the Kelantan people.

He said the resounding reception from Kelantan and Terengganu crowds has put LFS among five cinemas that contribute the highest ticket sales and audience sizes for the movie. – January 29, 2023.