Bruised and beaten, but gentlemen nevertheless

Kabir and Zul (right) on the set.

Tmoment has finally arrived. Malaysia’s first mixed-martial arts (MMA) action film is ready for screening and will hit the cinemas next Thursday. Sangkar, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kabir Bhatia (Cinta, Nur Kasih and Juvana), stars two of the country’s top action heroes, Zul Ariffin and Remy Ishak. It also marks popular TV actress Mira Filzah’s first leading role on the big screen and her second film after Rise: Ini Kalilah last year.

Kabir said filming commenced in the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur on May 7, last year and wrapped up on June 11. The 100-minute film, produced by Infinitus Productions and Primeworks Studios, marks the first time Zul and Remy are working together. Remy and Mira, who are marking their second on-screen partnership after Rise, are a popular duo in TV dramas, for instance, Pujaan Hati Kanda and Lelaki Kiriman Tuhan.

Kabir described Sangkar as a “hard action” story of two ruthlessly competitive MMA fighters from impoverished families.

Initially, Adam (Zul) and Johan (Remy) hate each other but gradually become friends after tragedy befalls the latter. To make the fight scenes realistic, Kabir roped in real-life MMA exponent Saiful Reza, who had previously worked with Zul in J Revolusi. Saiful choreographed all the fight scenes with some of his MMA fighter friends.

British MMA star James McSweeney makes a cameo appearance and adds more alpha-masculinity to the mix. Besides Zul, Remy and Mira, Sangkar (which is scripted by Mira Mustaffa) also stars Niezam Zaidi, Adam Mika, Ray of Era FM, Arman Graseka and MMA fighter Terry Gallyot.

Below is a recent interview with Kabir, Zul, Remy and Mira.

IamnotafanofMMA.Isawmy first live fight while preparing for this film. Almost halfway through the match, I knew how they played the game but I was not familiar with the MMA scene in KL. My first impression was that MMA fans just love the game and cheer the fighters all the way, as football fans do in stadiums.

I was lucky to get a crash course in MMA from the fighters when I met them after the match. And their crash course is just what I am going to show viewers in this film. It is important for me to capture their fighting spirit as accurately as possible, we owe it all to the fighters and their fans. As for my favourite sports, I like boxing, cricket and football.

I’ve met a lot of professional fighters while working on the film but Saiful, my action director, choreographer and producer, was the first fighter I interacted with and I suppose that was a great way to start. He was with me all along, correcting my misconceptions and pointing me in the right direction. My job was to get him to understand the film process from an action point of view.

I suppose the big star I met was James McSweeney and what a great guy he was to work with. They are just gentle giants outside the cage.

The complete discipline of embracing various art forms — there is boxing, kickboxing and wrestling. It is a bit like cricket as opposed to baseball. You can be good at one of the three art forms and you need to use your head besides your skills and brute force. I’ve seen fighters put down bigger opponents within seconds, by sticking to their strengths.

I also like the attitude of the MMA fighters. I find it easy to converse with them.

Making sure no one got hurt. Sometimes I held back and did not push the actors or stuntmen. I don’t think any filmmaking is worth it if it injures the crew. I’ve heard it’s different in Hong Kong. But it’s the duty of the film industry to secure the safety of the talent involved.

Nevertheless, many of the actors, stuntmen and even MMA fighters went the extra mile. That’s what they do. Even Zul and Remy took a few hard ones but no one complained. They all trained well and while working with the MMA fighters a few hits were deemed “normal”. Actors get inspired and take up the challenge of playing the game. I also had the challenge of keeping the game as realistic as possible and the scenes engaging.

We looked at a lot of MMA fights and incorporated a few of the best moments we saw on the screen. We are lucky that we didn’t have any major accidents in the cage but there was one outside in a fight scene. One of the actors dislocated his knee ball yet he still carried on. It was heart-breaking to see that happen and at the same time, I felt a great deal of respect for the actor who was determined to finish the scene. I’m happy to say he is 100 per cent fit now. There are some exciting scenes outside the cage which are very relevant to the plot.

I had briefly worked with Zul for a day, way back when he was still a struggling new actor. I didn’t know him well then. But this time I got to interact with him and I’ve realised that he is a quiet guy who is intelligent and knowledgeable. I’ve greatly enjoyed our conversations on the set. He always gave me feedback since he is a staunch fan of MMA.

I’ve incorporated lots of his ideas into this film and to see him work on a daily basis has been a lot of fun. It is such a joy when you are well prepared for your role and take it to the next level. He truly sizzles on screen.

Yes, of course, but more than anything I learnt a little bit about the fighters themselves and I suppose their kindness towards others, especially their fans, has greatly impressed me. They look very ruthless and intimidating yet they are some of the nicest guys around. They are able to rough up their opponents physically in a matter of seconds yet they are kind and gentle towards newcomers learning about the sport, like me. No, I don’t. As much as I get inspired by stories about extreme sports, I am more of a stickler for love, action, historical and horror stories. I devour all sorts of films and I want to do every genre as long as I understand and know that I can do justice to the genre. I want to do a film about sports later, not extreme sports, and I would do it in a heartbeat.

Kabir:

Kabir:

Kabir:

Kabir:

Kabir:

Kabir:

Kabir:

Kabir:

Terry is a lovely guy and because he has been around the world he understands the MMA process. He had a nice fight scene and gave a lot despite facing some discomfort. He never backed down.

As for James, I love the fact that he gently asked us whether he could bring in his own moves to enhance the scenes and that was great. He was very careful and patient with the actors he worked with. The man entered the cage at 8am and stepped out at 10pm. What a guy! Amazing stamina. I believe Zul and some of the actors went to Thailand to train with him after we wrapped up. Such was the hangover. They couldn’t let go.

I don’t think it challenged my perception. It just educated me on the mindset we must have when our faces get pummelled or our bones get broken. It’s like hanging out with soldiers and warriors. The fearlessness, if anything, can now be brought into my filmmaking and life in general.

Kabir:

Kabir:

I might be involved in a horror film. If my dates don’t clash, that is. And a lot of it depends on how well Sangkar does at the box office.

ZUL ARIFFIN AND REMY ISHAK

REMY, IS THIS YOUR INTRODUCTION TO THE MMA?

Yes, and it’s interesting. I only know silat. I wasn’t into sports in school, just silat.

Remy:

Remy:

Zul:

I’ve been watching MMA matches the last six years when the sport first became