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‘Prebet Sapu’ shows how being Malaysian is not just black and white

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This must-watch local film was selected to represent the country in the 2022 Academy Awards.

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Free Malaysia Today
‘Prebet Sapu’ was selected to represent Malaysia at the 2022 Academy Awards but did not make the final cut. (Instagram pic)

PETALING JAYA:
Filmed in the parts of Kuala Lumpur usually omitted from travel brochures, “Prebet Sapu” – a title given to illegally operated taxis – is a poignant movie that tells of Aman (Amerul Affendi), a taxi driver, and Bella (Lim Mei Fen), an escort, as they struggle to make a living in the city.

In their quest to find meaning in their lives, Aman and Bella form an unlikely friendship that provides them respite from an unforgiving world.

Shot entirely in greyscale, the movie manages to draw attention to the characters, separating them from the imposing skyscrapers and bright lights that threaten to suffocate their existence.

Bella illustrates this succinctly when she says “big city, small people, tough life”.

Free Malaysia Today
‘Prebet Sapu’ is director Muzzamer Rahman’s first feature film. (Instagram pic)

Directed by Muzzamer Rahman, “Prebet Sapu” is set during a runup to elections and portrays streets marred by strings of political flags, and complemented by overzealous political speeches that ultimately do nothing to improve the lives of people like Aman and Bella.

The film was selected by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) as Malaysia’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2022 Oscars, but sadly did not make the shortlist.

“Prebet Sapu” isn’t afraid to tackle topics such as racial prejudice. Bella admits she has been told to “balik tongsan” and, as a result, doesn’t feel she belongs in Malaysia, ultimately developing a dislike for Malay people.

This changes, of course, after she meets Aman, who helps her without judgement when she is in need.

She repays the kindness by inviting the homeless Aman to stay in an empty room in her flat – an especially heartwarming gesture, given that racial discrimination is prevalent in Malaysia’s property rental market.

Free Malaysia Today
The film portrays the lives of Malaysians without employing a rose-tinted moral lens. (Instagram pic)

Another scene worth mentioning is when Aman cooks a less spicy version of his mum’s ikan patin asam pedas for Bella. He eats with his hands and she with chopsticks – a contrast that endears them to each other, despite their differences.

It is indeed precious to see the friendship blossom between them into something beautiful. Although both feel displaced in the city, they eventually find that “home” is where love is.

Also noteworthy is the scene in which the usually honest Aman takes advantage of foreign workers after forming the impression that they are better off than he is – a notion many Malaysians might have, when in reality, these workers are employed in difficult jobs and are often discriminated in various ways.

“Prebet Sapu” is many things. It forces viewers to empathise with those who are in a different set of circumstances than they are.

It highlights the hardship of survival in an unsustainable consumerist society, while those in power live comfortably and get away with things others get punished for.

It makes people fall in love all over again.

In a nutshell, “Prebet Sapu” is a must-watch film that portrays the lives of actual Malaysians without employing a rose-tinted moral lens – which is refreshing, to say the least.

Here’s to more movies like “Prebet Sapu” that will inspire Malaysians to lift others in the spirit of “kita jaga kita”.

‘Prebet Sapu’ has a limited run at TGV Cinemas. For more information, including screening times, click here. Also check out the film’s official Instagram profile.

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