‘PASKAL’ IS TOP-RATED ON IMDb
Navy commando film also receives honourable mention on US website
NAVY commando adventure Paskal is not only making waves around the country, it has also received an honourable mention in the United States’ Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
With its latest box office takings at RM26.1 million, Paskal, directed by Adrian Teh, has become this year’s highest-rated Malaysian movie on IMDb, according to a statement from its producer, Astro Shaw, yesterday.
“Paskal The Movie is the highest-rated Malaysian movie this year on IMDb. Thank you everyone for your strong and continuous support. The spirit of our brave navy commandos will be remembered for all time. Keep voting for Paskal!”
Paskal received a rating of 8.4 out of 10 on the movie database.
Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin hailed the achievement, which he attributed to the commitment and talent of Teh, apart from the innovative collaboration between the Navy, National Film Development Corp, Asia Tropical Films, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and Multimedia Entertainment.
“We, the Navy, provided full support in terms of strategy, storyline and technical advice so that it will meet the high standards set by the Navy.
“Every technique and action, military verbal orders and command are inspired by true stories based on missions that have now been declassified and thus can be shared with Malaysians,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
The success of Paskal, he said, was proof that locally-produced movies could achieve Hollywood standards with an interesting storyline that was not from the romantic or horror genre.
“Paskal is a movie that clearly highlights the Navy’s core values, which are honour, loyalty, courage, pride and our readiness to sacrifice for the nation.
“All this while, we have been patronising or idolising Western security forces, such as the US Navy Seals, without realising that Malaysia, too, has a unit of our own that is Paskal.”
Kamarulzaman said the movie gave a strong message of the importance of loyalty to our country, family and friends, as well as teamwork and sacrifice.
“I thank His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor (Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah), who is the Navy captain-in-chief, for his contributions. I also thank His Royal Highness Sultan of Perak (Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah) for telling us, when we had successfully overcome the Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden, that the mission’s success should be made into a book and movie for the sake of the Navy and country’s posterity,” Kamarulzaman said.
Recently given the royal nod of approval by Sultan Nazrin, who viewed it in a special screening, it also attracted the attention of Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
Paskal collected RM2 million on its opening night, RM7.5 million after four days and RM22 million in 18 days.
It is the third bestselling local film after Munafik 2 (RM46 million) and Hantu Kak Limah (RM36 million).
Paskal depicts the story of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Pasukan Khas Laut (Navy Special Warfare Force), or Paskal, which was formed on Oct 1, 1982.
It focuses on the force’s antipiracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and the Sulu Sea, as well as peacekeeping missions in Angola, and is based on the experiences of its commander, First Admiral Anuar Alias.