"Terbaik Dari Langit" tells the story of a group of best friends whose tight friendship formed during their days in boarding school. They reunite after 15 years of separation in order to make a film about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Directed by Anugerah Skrin 2013's Best Director, Nik Amir Nik Mustapha, the film is made up of an impressive cast consisting of Bront Palarae, Iedil Putra, Amerul Afendi, Nadiya Nisaa, Megat Sharizal, Sharifah Amani and Siti Saleha. Here's what the cast and director of "Terbaik Dari Langit" have to say about their film during the recent premiere at Cathay Cineplex eCurve, Mutiara Damansara.
Hi Bront, how was it like playing your part in the film? Was it easy or hard? Some parts are easy, some are not. But when you're working with other actors that are easy to work with, and especially working with director Nik Amir, anyone would be willing to paint themselves blue. So there's no hard part in the film, it only makes you more excited and hope that the screenwriters will come up with more scripts like this. The challenge faced in portraying Berg is that he can't be the sole main character, because this is more towards portraying the tight bond of friendship. Nadiya Nisaa, how was it like being the only girl among this group of friends? I'm thankful that I, out of all the actresses in Malaysia, got the chance to be in the van with the four best friends. One thing's for sure, the filming was quite demanding and we had to plow through be it rain or shine. Amerul Afendi, what were the challenges you faced portraying Toyu and being matched as an onscreen couple with Nadiya Nisaa? The challenge that each of us faced was finding that link that makes us all the best of friends since our school days. To successfully play Toyu, I went for acting class with acting teacher, Kahar. My most unforgettable memory during filming was the time when I had to paint myself blue. (Jokes) Working with Nadiya Nisaa as a couple in this movie was a little icky. But, Nadiya Nisaa really is a talented actress who is easy to work with. What about you, Iedil Putra? What can you tell us about the film? All of us were involved in the film since the beginning, be it the cast or the crew, we would get together and discuss. It felt like working with family, who care for each other, and we shared ideas to come up with something that is 'the best from the sky' (a pun on the movie's title). Megat Sharizal, what were the challenges you faced when acting in the film? When we were coming up with the concept for the film, this character is one of those who never looked back, he only looks ahead. Like Bront, if he were to play the character in the film, he would've had to lose weight. As for me, I had to gain weight in order to play Ali. Usually in a road trip film, there must be a character with a little meat on the bones. I am that guy. So I had to gain 15kg just to play my part in the film. Redza Minhat, as the scriptwriter, what exactly is the storyline you wish to present to the audience? We're attempting something commercial here, so we added the element of UFO for it to stand apart from other films. As for the UFO, some believe in it, some don't. Therefore we are trying to make a film where the audience will have to think whether to believe or to not believe. This film is more towards telling the journey undertaken in making a film as well as of friendship. Nik Amir, as the director of the film, is there anything you wish to share through "Terbaik Dari Langit"? I wanted to make a film with a subject close to my heart. After I directed my first film, "KIL", I was even more motivated to portray the Malaysian culture on the silver screen. To fully delve into this film during its earlier stages of production, I thought back to the time when I was studying in a boarding school, of the close bond of friendship I formed with my friends there. I slipped in to the nervousness I felt in facing up to social pressure. "Terbaik Dari Langit" comes to cinemas this 25 December 2014.