‘Denu’ – An Ode To Mak Yong And Malay Heritage

By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

BEIJING, Nov 12 (Bernama) – The debut film by Datuk Tarmimi Siregar, ‘Denu’, made history as the first Malaysian movie screened in China during the ‘ASEAN Movie Night’ yesterday.

Although it has yet to premiere in Malaysia, the film, which showcases the traditional Mak Yong art form and is inspired by a true story from pre-independence Kelantan, captivated the Malaysian Embassy in China.

Malaysia’s Ambassador to China, Datuk Norman Muhamad, said Denu was selected for its rich portrayal of Malaysian traditional culture and its use of cutting-edge Chinese technology to enhance its cinematic quality.

“Datuk Tarmimi Siregar came to Beijing to improve the film’s quality, increasing the frame rate from 15 to 45 frames per second (fps) and upgrading the resolution to 8K. We initially faced difficulties securing a venue for screening Malaysian films here. However, Datuk Tarmimi graciously offered Denu for screening, even though it hasn’t premiered in Malaysia.

“This film aligns perfectly with our objectives. It introduces local audiences to Malaysia’s cultural heritage while offering a compelling narrative that provides a glimpse into the country’s pre-independence era,” he told Bernama after the screening at the ASEAN-China Centre.

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The film Denu, which places the traditional Mak Yong art form at its core and elevates it to the highest regard, weaves a heartfelt narrative of joy and sorrow, laughter and revenge, honesty, and the challenges of communal life—all while emphasising the enduring themes of love and compassion.

Produced on a budget of RM1.8 million, the film features a stellar cast, including Sabri Yunus, Nad Zainal, Hairi Safwan, Che Kem, Hakimi, and Ayie@Arjuna.

Meanwhile, Ma Xiaoge, also known as Airis, a 22-year-old undergraduate in Malay Language Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, shared her excitement at experiencing a film entirely in the Kelantanese dialect.

“Although the dialect was somewhat challenging to understand, the subtitles made it much easier. The film is excellent in raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting our heritage.

“Heritage like Mak Yong holds a unique place and cannot be valued in monetary terms. It was a new experience for me, and I look forward to exploring more of Malaysia’s dialects,” said Ma, who hails from Yunnan, China.

Fiona Willichita, a 24-year-old Master’s student in Management at Tsinghua University, said that Denu offered valuable insight into how the Malay community in Kelantan preserves the Mak Yong tradition.

 “As an international student from Indonesia, I was deeply moved by the opportunity to share experiences and cultures through meaningful interaction. Today’s event inspires us to appreciate our respective cultural identities and embrace cultural diversity, further strengthening ASEAN-China ties,” she said.

-- BERNAMA