Zulkifli M. Osman Awaits Audience Response To ‘Mereka Yang Tertewas’

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Actor and film director Datuk Zulkifli M. Osman admitted to feeling anxious about how audiences will respond to his latest film, ‘Mereka Yang Tertewas,’ set for nationwide release on Nov 7.

Zulkifli shared that the film is an adaptation of a novel by Hasanuddin Md Isa, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in 1988, which was included in the secondary school literature syllabus from 1991 to 2001.

 “This is my second novel adaptation. My first was Mira Edora, a romance film in 1990, which I adapted to my style, sparking some issues with the novel’s author, Khadijah Hashim,” he said.

 “But it turned out to be a blessing, as viewers were intrigued by the differences between the novelist and the director. However, it also left me with lingering apprehension about adapting a novel that was once part of the literary curriculum,” he added during a recent charity screening at the DBP Auditorium.

The cast of Mereka Yang Tertewas, which received funding from the Creative Content Fund (DKK) from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), includes Zaidi Omar, Fiza Halim, Fad Anuar, Sherie Merlis, Datuk Hilal Azman, Ruzaidi Abd Rahman, Zaini Hassan, and Man Yakuza.

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The film Mereka Yang Tertewas presents a religious narrative, depicting the role of Islam in a 1980s community in Kampung Bukit Setugal.

The main character, Lebai Pai, portrayed by Zaidi, strives to restore the villagers' faith, which has waned due to excessive indulgence in entertainment and immoral activities. However, he faces false accusations from some villagers, who go so far as to label him as spreading heretical teachings.

Zulkifli, who has directed 17 films, admitted that the biggest challenge in making this film was preserving the novel's authenticity and ensuring its core themes resonated with readers.

“I needed to maintain its authenticity, as the novel has had a substantial following in literary circles from 1991 to 2011. Imagination through novel reading is highly subjective, so translating it into film is not as straightforward as it may seem," he explained.

 Some scenes may appear grand in the script, but staying within the allocated budget requires balance. Alhamdulillah, we’ve received positive feedback, even from the original author,” he shared.

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Meanwhile, Zaidi said this film marks his second time portraying a religious figure in a novel-based story.

“When I received the offer, I immediately went to a friend at DBP to get the novel and read it several times. After receiving the script, I read it again, and with careful consideration and encouragement from the director (Zulkifli), I finally felt ready to take on this responsibility,” he said.

For film enthusiast Wahadi Sawin, while the film may not fall into a genre typically favoured by today’s youth—lacking visual effects (VFX) or computer-generated imagery (CGI)—he sees it as a significant work that highlights religious and cultural values in Malay society.

 “I view this film not just as entertainment, but as a platform for religious education for those who value faith. It clearly conveys the message of amar makruf nahi munkar (promoting good and preventing wrong), a duty shared by all, regardless of rank or educational background,” he said.

 -- BERNAMA