"Mencari Ramlee," about P. Ramlee impersonator hits Rotterdam Festival

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"Mencari Ramlee," about P. Ramlee impersonator hits Rotterdam Festival

Writer: Heidi Hsia

From KL to Rotterdam

7 Nov - The movie "Mencari Ramlee" is set to be screened at the upcoming International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR), particularly as part of the Bright Future and Harbour programmes.

Lead actor Tony Eusoff recently expressed his elation over the news, saying that he has only seen the rough cuts of the Megat Sharizal movie, but that even that had him in awe.

"Even with a small budget, the director and the producers were able to come up with a good quality product," he said.

Tony stars alongside Sofia Jane in the movie

An endearing retro comedy-drama set in the swinging 70s Kuala Lumpur, it follows Zakaria, a small-time performer who makes a living impersonating actor, singer and filmmaker P. Ramlee. It isn't a dream job in the 1970s KL as the real Ramlee has just passed away at 44 and his art had already been declared old-fashion. Destitute and in debt, Zakaria is offered a lifeline by his loan shark Yusef: impersonate the screen icon and entertain his sister, who believes she lives in the 1950s, under the guise of Ramlee and all debts will be forgiven.

Speaking about the movie, Tony said that he hopes that the movie will win the public's heart when it comes out in cinemas.

"I hope that it will create a path for more genre of this kind," he added.

The movie previously already received FINAS' Digital Content Fund of RM 1 million to kickstart its production. Aside from Megat and Tony Eusoff, the movie also co-stars Sofia Jane and Mimi Lana. Others include special appearances by Beto Kusyairy, Amerul Affendi, Bront Palarae, Sharifah Amani and Vanidah Imran.