Noob Film Review - GERAN by Areel Abu Bakar

Trailer

Synopsis

Story about the family of Pak Nayan (Nam Ron) in Kedah who had to deal with the threat of loan shark demanding repayment from one of Pak Nayan's son Mat Arip (Fad Anuar) from his gambling bad habit. Their heritage land is at stake and Pak Nayan has to find a way to regain the land grant (as the title, Geran) that has already fallen into the hand of Haji Daud (loan shark's head).

Melayu lawan Melayu, dirasuk oleh ketamakan

Review (no spoiler)

The theme of rural Malays who got themselves deep into the pit of debt due to the bad gambling habit, and the greed for money by giving away their lands in films like Bunohan and Jogho is repeated here. Probably because it is a prominent issue in also the similar province of northern peninsular of Malaysia.

Pak Nayan's family is defending the last fringes of what it is to be a Malay. Silat, traditional Malay house, vast land of rice paddy fields, good manners and Islam. Defending against the unwavering attack from the lust of money and modernism. Like a scene of a red, classic English car cutting through a green paddy field in Nirrajim by Abror Rivai bringing together a disease which take most of what it is to be human on top of monetary gains. The same scene can be seen in this film in many instances, I think carrying the same meaning.

Like in Bunohan family is divided due to quarrel over a piece of land to be sold for development, ignoring totally feelings of the father.

A politician seen promising progress in a form of project and the Haji Daud's henchmen are doing the job in acquiring lands by using loans with impossible interest rates as baits. One should be able to tell between needs and wants.

Haji Daud reminded me of a character in the 1954's Hassan's Homecoming where Hassan is looking for a loan to help his family after the passing of his father. The loan shark is also a fat Haji with white songkok charging high interest for the loan which Hassan cant afford. - despite being a Haji

The lure to gamble is strong in Mat Arip like also in Mamat in Jogho. Vast paddy fields are being ignored. Instead the thrill of gambling is chosen instead of berbudi pada tanah.

The contrast between the henchmen's manners and Pak Nayan. Both sides are Malays but what kind of Malays you are? P.Ramlee said in Seniman Bujang Lapok, "Bahasa menunjukkan bangsa". We see today not many have that but claim to be fighting for the Malays.

One of Pak Nayan's mistake is to pamper Mat Arip but family is family no matter how bad they are. And the belief that the righteous will indeed be victorious. Old school wisdom vs skin deep lust for money.

Malays fighting each other over the same piece of land. One side poisoned by greed. Wait for end credit scene.

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