ACTOR Farid Kamil first asked his mother to read the script for his latest movie, before agreeing to play the role of Malaysian opposition figure, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a film produced by Indonesian production company, Bianglala Entertainment.
Farid said this when asked to elaborate on his involvement in the film, which is being directed by Viva Westi and explores the struggle of the Malaysian political figure against corruption from 1993 to 1998.
"When my mother gave a really good response [to the script], I immediately realised I had to research and study all the materials to prepare for the role.”
"I took about three months to study in detail about who Anwar Ibrahim really is.”
"When I studied, it occurred to me that what happened to Anwar Ibrahim once upon a time also happened to me.
"Being able to empathise and feel close to him to some extent, helped me to translate it into the form of a film," he told Getaran.
But at the same time, Farid said he felt he lacked the ability to play the character and story of one of the most famous Malaysian political figures.
"This feeling of being inadequate is because the character I want to play is on the world’s stage. So that gave me a lot of nerve and anxiety.”
"I also felt that I will only be able to prepare to make this film once I meet Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself.
"To shape the character, I needed to meet him.”
"That request was realised and I had a two-hour long meeting with him. But those two hours are not enough for me as an actor," he added.
Farid explained that a second meeting with Anwar was held.
"This time, I wanted to study his face in detail, and I even asked him to take off his glasses.
"I wanted to see the seven punches he received. Before that, through his medical report in 1998, it showed that he had been punched in the face, neck, and ribs.
"What we shared in common was that I have also been arrested. The only difference is that he was punched seven times, while I was punched once," Farid said.
According to Farid, the film will be shown throughout Indonesia and in any country that needs a film like this.
"'Anwar' is the first film that shows the story of the journey of an anti-corruption figure familiar around the world.
"I myself was offered a bribe as much as RM5 million during Najib’s time. As a result of rejecting corruption in Malaysia, people will use it to bring us down. That was what happened to me. That is what Anwar Ibrahim has in common with Farid Kamil," the actor claimed.
The film starring Farid Kamil, Acha Septriasa, Hasnul Rahmat, Firdaus Mat Joni, Piet Pagau and Dewi Irawan uses the Malay language with some English.
"I have to say, the preparation done by this production company to produce the film is incredible.
"They are very careful about quality. If the quality does not reach the standard and if it is not right, it is not right," he said.
The film has been in the works since August 2011 and is currently in the final stages of filming and is expected to reach audiences early next year. – The Vibes, November 12, 2022
