The first trailer for “Peluru Senja: The Ghost & the Gun” has arrived alongside confirmation of a nationwide Malaysian theatrical release on Aug. 28, timed to the country’s Independence Day weekend.
Local distributor MSK Cinemas will handle the rollout.
The Bahasa Malaysia-language feature is the third film from Singapore-based Indian director Anshul Tiwari, whose previous credits include “Before Life After Death” and “Bayaar.” The screenplay was written by Abhi Kumar. Producers are Debasmita Dasgupta, Tim Willrich, Bo H. Holmgreen and Mikail Chowdhury, with Jessie White of Misfit Studios serving as executive producer alongside Mohsen Ashraf of Friendly Felix Studios, Tanveer Ali, Amreen Bashir of Amra Bangladeshi and Tahmid Khan of Auras.
Set in 1948 Malaya in the volatile years that followed the end of World War II, the film traces a Malay soldier and a British soldier who are left behind after the British military withdraws. Together they must reckon with their wartime histories while protecting a village under threat from armed rebels.
Award-winning Malaysian actor Fabian Loo – known for “Rain Town” and “One Cent Thief” – leads the cast alongside Hazman Al-Idrus. They are joined by celebrated Indonesian actor Asmara Abigail (“Stone Turtle,” “Impetigore”) and U.S. actor Brett Tutor (“Monsters of Man”).
Tiwari said: “We have many World War II films but rarely are they centred on people from this region nor do we see the impact of the British withdrawal and the ensuing mess. Abhi Kumar’s screenplay offered the perfect opportunity to explore a theme that gripped me: the psychological trauma carried by war survivors.”
Production drew on talent and crew from six countries. Dasgupta, whose company is FilmsPositive, said the shoot reflected the collaborative ambition at the project’s core. “We proudly united talent and crew from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh and the U.K. to bring it to life,” she said.
The film carries a further distinction as one of the first war features shot entirely in Bali. “Filming in Bali allowed us to craft a visually stunning backdrop with natural locations and we built fourteen sets to replicate 1940’s Malaysia,” said Bo H. Holmgreen, producer and CEO of Viking Sunset Studios. “Accompanying this fabulous war movie back to its cultural and historical origins is very exciting.”
“We believe ‘Peluru Senja’ has the potential to connect with audiences through its unique identity and compelling narrative. We are committed to delivering a strong theatrical release,” said Saradha Sivalingam of MSK Cinemas, who added the company was drawn by the film’s “powerful storytelling, authentic Malaysian setting and strong emotional core, combined with high production values that deserve to be experienced on the big screen.”
White offered a similar note. “This film has always been about telling a deeply human story against the backdrop of an important moment in Malaysian history, and we can’t wait to share it on the big screen,” she said.
The production made use of Malaysia’s post-production infrastructure and incorporated creative voices from across South and Southeast Asia.
“Peluru Senja: The Ghost & the Gun” opens in Malaysian cinemas nationwide on Aug. 28.
Watch the trailer here:
