The highly anticipated official launch of Kulit Wayang took place this evening at the Kulit Wayang Cultural Festival, held at KL Base, Sungai Besi. This immersive two-day celebration was more than just a movie premiere—it was a vibrant cultural experience blending heritage, entertainment, and community engagement.
As part of a unique promotional campaign for the film, the festival featured a 3km celebrity fun run, a traditional dance competition, heritage games, and culminated in the official movie trailer premiere and press conference.
Produced by Mico Studio (M) Sdn Bhd and co-produced by EMT Ventures Sdn Bhd, the launch event brought together some of the industry’s most celebrated names. Among those present were producer Nevin Hiong, co-producer and festival organiser Penny Chan, renowned director Dain Said, and lead cast members including Malaysian A-listers Fattah Amin and Pekin Ibrahim, Indonesian stars Reynavenzka Deyandra and Jenna Kamaratih, and acclaimed Chinese-Malaysian actress Amanda Ang.
“We didn’t want this to be just another press event,” shared Penny Chan during the press conference. “We envisioned something more engaging—an immersive cultural experience that brings people together while promoting our local film industry. This event is also a chance to foster brand synergy and community engagement.”
Co-lead Fattah Amin reflected on the movie’s deeper message: “Kulit Wayang took nearly a year to film, and it’s a story rooted in preserving our cultural identity. I’m proud of how the film marries tradition with artistic storytelling.”
His co-star, Pekin Ibrahim, praised the team’s creative vision: “Having worked with both the producer and director before, I knew this project would be special. It’s a beautiful tribute to the East Coast and our culture.”
READ: Kulit Wayang Cultural Festival 2025: Fusion of Film, Music, and Tradition
A Story Rooted in Folklore
Set in a remote coastal village in 1980s Malaysia, Kulit Wayang tells the haunting tale of Ramlee, or Pak Lee—a shadow puppeteer living in isolation after a mysterious tragedy. The story unfolds when Dewi, a curious young girl from Indonesia, arrives with her mother, Dian, who is researching the dying tradition of Wayang Kulit.
Dewi’s fascination with the shadow puppets draws her into a dark and mystical world, where she befriends a ghostly child named Ayu and uncovers the tragic secrets of Pak Lee’s past. As unexplained deaths and eerie visions plague the village, Dewi finds herself caught between spirits seeking justice and her survival.
The film blends elements of folklore, supernatural mystery, and cultural storytelling. It explores themes of grief, reconciliation, and the timeless power of storytelling to heal and connect generations.
A Director’s Vision
Acclaimed director Dain Said—known for Dukun and Bunohan—returns to familiar terrain with Kulit Wayang, once again setting his characters amidst the haunting swamps of Malaysia’s East Coast.
“Wayang Kulit is part of our cultural DNA, but it’s fading,” said Dain. “With Kulit Wayang, we’re not only telling a fantasy tale—we’re reintroducing a treasured art form to younger audiences using the language of cinema.”
He further explained the inspiration behind the story: “Traditional puppeteers often created their own ‘branch stories’ (cerita ranting) inspired by the Ramayana epic. This film is our modern branch, blending tradition with genre storytelling.”
Dain also emphasized the importance of preserving childhood imagination. “When we lose our traditional stories, we lose the ability to imagine. Children, in their innocence, often hold the key to unlocking that creativity in adults.”
Kulit Wayang – Meet the Cast
- Fattah Amin, one of Malaysia’s most followed celebrities (3.7M on Instagram, 906K on TikTok), is a multiple award-winning actor known for his versatility.
- Pekin Ibrahim, a respected figure in local cinema, is celebrated for roles in films like Bunohan and Mat Moto, and has received numerous accolades including Best Actor at the Malaysia Film Festival.
- Reynavenzka Deyandra, an established Indonesian actress and model, brings experience from a wide range of films and TV series including Pulau Hantu and Brokenhearts.
- Jenna Kamaratih, a promising young talent from Indonesia, brings charm and depth to the role of Dewi.
- Amanda Ang, known for her performances in Last Madame and Blood Flower, rounds out the cast with her commanding screen presence.
The film also features supporting roles by Wan Zulkifli, Farra Zohra, and Zul Zamir. The screenplay was penned by Dain Said, Ben Omar, and Nandita Solomon, based on an original concept by Nevin Hiong. The music score was composed by Yudha Kobayashi.
The launch event concluded with an electrifying Wayang Kulit performance featuring Fattah Amin and Pekin Ibrahim, followed by a special meet-and-greet session with fans, influencers, and key opinion leaders.
Kulit Wayang is set to hit more than 50 cinemas across Malaysia starting 1 May 2025. The film is proudly supported by FINAS (Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia) and MOTAC (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture).
An update was also announced regarding the Malika Music Festival 2025, initially scheduled alongside the Kulit Wayang Cultural Festival. The festival has now been rescheduled to 31 May 2025, promising a bigger spectacle with additional performances. Headliners include Indonesian rock icons Nidji, Malaysian punk legends Bunkface, and indie pioneers OAG.
The film’s launch and promotional campaign are made possible with the support of a wide range of sponsors, including Surewin Entertainment, Editing Star, Halo Optical, Beauterfly International, RT Pastry, Gardenia, Spritzer, Chek Hup, and many more. Their collaboration showcases the growing synergy between the Malaysian creative and business communities.
Don’t miss the cinematic journey that bridges fantasy and folklore — experience Kulit Wayang in cinemas nationwide from 1 May 2025.
PERINGATAN:
Nokomen.com tidak bertanggungjawab terhadap komentar yang diutarakan melalui laman sosial ini. Ia merupakan pandangan peribadi pemilik akaun dan bukan sesekali daripada pihak kami. Segala risiko akibat sebarang komentar yang disiarkan menjadi tanggungjawab pemilik akaun itu sendiri.
