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What to expect from director Syafiq Yusof after Abang Long Fadil 2?
WHAT’s next for director Syafiq Yusof after his RM18mil hit Abang Long Fadil 2?
Well, there’s the upcoming action movie KL Special Force ,due March 8. The 25-year-old filmmaker described KL Special Force as an homage to the Malaysian police movie genre made famous by his father, producer Datuk Yusof Haslam.
“I think of KL Special Force as my take on Gerak Khas. Instead of making another movie based on the TV show, I thought I’d do something completely different. My approach is something more serious and darker,” he said during an interview in Kuala Lumpur.
KL Special Force stars Datuk Rosyam Nor and Fattah Amin as members of an elite police force on a mission to take down a ruthless bank robbery gang led by Asyraff (played by Syafiq’s brother Syamsul Yusof ).
After the release of KL Special Force, Syafiq will start production on a horror movie, with Zul Ariffin and Elizabeth Tan attached to star. The last time Syafiq experimented with a scary movie was back in 2015 with the mockumentary-styled Villa Nabila.
“I would say this (new project) is a psychological horror movie. I’ve been watching Alfred Hitchcock movies like Psycho and Rear Window. I’m amazed by how a simple scary story can be told effectively with the right amount of suspense and chills. So I want to try and achieve something like that,” he offered.
Syafiq said he tries not to think about emulating the success of Abang Long Fadil 2.
“I think a lot of people assume that I’ve become a millionaire but the reality is nothing like that. Half of the box office collection goes to the cinema operators. Then you’ve got to pay taxes. Lastly, you’ve got to pay the staff members at Skop Production. That’s why I always think of movie-making as a business first. There are a lot of people whose income depends on what we do.”
Before Syafiq decides on a production, he puts himself in the shoes of the typical Malaysian moviegoer.
“I understand that the price of a movie ticket is not cheap. I know for some people that after a hard day, they just want to entertain themselves with a fun movie. As a filmmaker, I feel that I’ve found that balance between doing what I love creatively and pleasing the audience as well.”
He added: “I’m grateful that the audience can accept what I’ve been trying to present to them. I try not to go too crazy when I do something different.”
Syafiq’s other productions due for release this year include Astro telemovie Lagenda Long Piah and comedy movie Sekolahaha which he co-directs with social media personality Mat Luthfi. Another Abang Long Fadil movie is also in development.
Is there anything Syafiq won’t do?
“Romance. Simply because I don’t have any interest in it and I wouldn’t know how to approach that subject. Then again, I’ve also said that I’ll never do horror ... so we’ll see.”