Movie Review: Abang Adik (2023)

 

As I've said, December has been a great month for Malaysian movies. 

A friend told me that this movie, Abang Adik (2023) was a great movie (+ made locally), and I was immediately raring to watch it in the cinemas. 

(Self-professed sucker for movies, and also have been on a local-made spree recently with the books I have been reading as well *KL Noir series as well as other locally-based books*)

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Going into the movie, I didn't know what to expect. 

All I knew was that it featured the lives of a pair of stateless brothers. 

I thought that it would be about refugees, as that was who I usually expect to have to face with the issue of statelessness. 

But lo and behold, it was about brothers who were born locally but somehow don't have the necessary papers and no identity card (IC). 

If you do not want further spoilers, other than my strong encouragement for you to catch this movie in the cinemas (!!!), then you can skip the next part (Summary of the movie).  

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*Some spoilers ahead*

Summary of the movie

This has caused them significant difficulty in them living their lives, on a day to day basis. 

The younger one (Adik) was abandoned by his parents when he was young, and was brought up by an older boy (Abang) who was born mute and partially deaf. They went through thick and thin and scrape by month to month on meager wages that they can get from doing odd jobs here and there. They are cared for an older 'auntie' who treat them like her own sons.

Their whole lives revolve around them being afraid of being detained for having no IC, and because of this also, they have no rights to demand for proper wages, and at times, having to resort to doing 'unsavory' work just to have a chance at getting more money. Such is their life, and Abang constantly tries to ensure that his brother is on the 'right' path, and not dabbling in unsavory work. 

We also see the older one struggle with communication, using sign language to communicate, and wearing a hearing aid, which is shown to deteriorate with use as the movie prolongs. 

The movie highlights the struggle of stateless people, and their desperate need for IC, and the process of them applying and failing countless times. 

Unfortunate circumstances befall them and the ending is rather bittersweet, but real in a sense. The pain of living is more than the pain of dying, for them. 

***

Sharing my thoughts

The movie was shot professionally, and considering the main language used in the dialogue, it reminded me of Hong Kong movies. 

It is more of a slow burn kind of movie, rather than a fast-paced one. 

There are many quiet moments in the film. Space given for you to think. To feel. To be in the moment. 

It contained many shots of the surroundings, giving you a feel for the place, and it brings audience closer to the characters. 

With the added nostalgia, as the shots were taken in and of Malaysia, and looks familiar to Malaysian audience. 

It showed that it could even be something that is happening near you. Behind your house. Within your housing area. 

There are people suffering in this manner. 

Struggling from day to day. 'Kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang', as the saying goes. 

It brings about a sense of gratefulness for the things that we have around us. Yet we constantly seek more. Want more. Take for granted the simple things in life that we have. 

Like the IC that we own. 

No doubt, this movie is a tearjerker. 

One of the most heart-wrenching scenes is the one where we see Abang conversing with a monk about peace, and about life.

Where someone has sunken so low to the depths of despair. 

Where living is more painful than dying. 

Because there is no hope for people in his situation. 

Living with the constant fear. 

Living with the constant dread. 

Living having to constantly strive, and persevere. 

But when is their turn to be happy?

But when is their turn to be able to live?

Not even asking for wealth, health or material possessions.

Just for them to be able to live a simple life. With their loved ones. Without fear.

But they are robbed of even that simple joy. 

Really grounds you.

To remember to be grateful.

For the big things, and the small things. 

****

You can still catch it in cinemas nationwide!

*****

References:

https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2023/12/06/2424638.jpg