KUALA LUMPUR: Following the success of navy special forces film Paskal The Movie two years ago, a cinematic tribute to the country's fighter pilots is coming soon.
Air Force The Movie: Selagi Bernyawa will premiere in August, and boasts a star-studded cast headlined by Aiman Hakim Ridza and Datuk Adi Putra.
Other big names include Nas-T, Luqman Hafidz, Johan As'ari, Pablo Amirul, Sara Ali, Anas Ridzuan, Iman Corrine, Niezam Zaidi, Carmen Soo, Scha Alyahya and Azira Syafinaz.
Directed by Zulkarnain Azhar and Frank See, it tells the story of Royal Malaysian Air Force Special Forces (Paskau) leaders Capt Adib (Nas) and Maj Adnan (Adi) who protect war refugees in a Third World country.
They are ably assisted by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, whose ace fighter pilot is Adib's fearless brother-in-law Zafran (Aiman).
Zulkarnain said that filming took 76 days, in March as well as October to December last year.
"It was difficult with the Movement Control Order (MCO) in place, but I'm glad that we worked great as a team and wrapped it up with no hiccups," he said at the launch of the film in GSC Mid Valley Megamall here yesterday.
"The main stars spent a month of basic military training at an army camp in Banting, Selangor, a mere fraction of what the real fighter pilots and navy seals encounter, but they did it."
Filming took place in the outskirts of Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Shah Alam, Alor Star and Kota Belud in Sabah.
Air Force The Movie is supported by the Malaysian Armed Forces and was launched by Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Affendi Buang.
Affendi said: "Malaysians look forward to a brilliantly produced film that will inspire them.
"We need a fresh approach to lift our patriotic spirit and honour our men and women in uniform who keep the country safe.
"I am confident that Air Force The Movie will set a new benchmark for the film industry."
Distributor Golden Screen Cinemas' chairman Jeneral (Rtd) Tan Sri Ghazali Mohd Seth said: "This film realistically depicts the lives of the Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel in the line of duty. It is reminiscent of the frontliners battling the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. Both are in the forefront protecting the lives of Malaysians."
Air Force The Movie is part of the Jom #SapotLokal Filem 2021 campaign, a joint effort by film company Multimedia Entertainment, Golden Screen Cinemas, Astro and Six Fun Media.
They are promoting six films which will be screened later this year.
Besides Air Force The Movie, the others are family drama Biko, horror films Rasuk, Wayang Puaka, Rumah Madu Ku Berhantu and comedy 3 Janda.
The trailer for Air Force The Movie: Selagi Bernyawa