MOVIE ABOUT 19TH-CENTURY MALAYSIANS' RESISTANCE TO BRITISH INVASION PREMIERED IN ISTANBUL

ISTANBUL, Dec 26 (Bernama-AA) -- The movie Pendekar Awang: Darah Indera Gajah, which tells the story of a Malaysian warrior epic, officially premiered on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkiye's cosmopolitan city, Anadolu Agency reported.

The film, based on a true story, depicts the 19th-century resistance to British invasions of Malay lands.

Muzaffer Seyyahoglu, Studio Kembara's Turkiye coordinator, told Anadolu that the movie begins with a Malay scholar living in Mecca during the Ottoman era writing a letter to the people of Malaysia, urging them to rise up against British colonial rule.

"When the Malays organise and act together, the British retreat. They managed to push back the British colonial occupation. The film ends with the British withdrawal, but there will be a continuation," he said.

Malaysian actor Ali Karimi said many Malaysians are excited for the movie to release in Turkiye.

He said, "We are naturally enthusiastic about this and are making efforts to make it happen. I hope the viewership will reach the highest levels.

"Because this is a struggle for independence and liberation from occupation. While playing our roles, we shared similar emotions and thoughts as we embodied our own heroes.

"In essence, this was Malaysia's war for liberation, a fight for freedom from colonial rule. We aimed to convey that spirit fully in the film."

-- BERNAMA-AA