Susuk
1. form, shape, frame
2. The forbidden practice of inserting and embedding foreign objects such as gold, silver and diamonds under a person's skin to increase the person's allure
We watched this movie out of curiosity. Naturally, the lure of mystical black magic that allows one to stay young forever was an interesting topic to me. Plus, this movie was directed by Amir Muhammad who normally directs independent films that almost always gets banned by our overzealous Censorship Board. Oh, occasionally he guest stars in teen soap operas. :-P Anyway, Amir Muhammad is one talented dude. If I'm not mistaken he co-directed this movie with another director.
The story started alright. It had all the right ingredients. Mystery, a lot of blood and flying chickens, hot semi nude ladies in bath tubs swamped by flowers, lifestyle of the rich and famous and a cast of talented actors who you know in the past, have given very good performance. It tells the story of two ladies, a wannabe Malaysian Idol nurse (played by Diana Rafar) and a diva-ish singer (played by Ida Nerina). This young nurse wants to be a singer, and after she meets up with two famous singers (played by Aleeza Kassim and Sofea Jane) she becomes even more convinced to drop her profession in order to embrace the glamorous lifestyle of a super-star. Of course she had an inkling what one has to do in order to succeed.
Enter the susuk practice. To stay on top of your game, you have to do all that it takes. Including wear susuk, which is obviously forbidden in Islam. Ida meanwhile is already a successful singer in her own right, who is knee deep in the susuk business. Almost always by her side is her PA (?) cum dukun who has the ability to appear and disappear at will! (I can't remember his title and I am too lazy to Google it). He is the one who is the ultimate susuk pasang-er (played fabulously by Adlin Aman Ramlee). Somehow, she goes against the restrictions of the susuk (which was not to cross any body of water, i.e. rivers or seas) and she has to kill again in order for the susuk to reverse itself and for her to retain eternal youthfulness.
Somehow, along the way, we got very confused. Why are all susuk users killed in this story? Is she supposed to kill young starlets cum singers in order to reverse the susuk back to its usefulness? And why would a couple of diva singers be interested in a young, naive and very ordinary looking nurse (OK so she is kinda sweet looking!)? Owh, you mean Aleeza is supposed to be lesbian? Owh wow! That wasn't apparent until she took of her bikini top in front of our young nurse here! Plus, you had a scene involving nurse's evil brother in law who was ceremoniously killed by our powerful dukun. It was just a bit much! The acting was alright, though. I loved Adlin in his role, and I thought it was lovely seeing Sofea Jane in what must be one of her recent film performance after quite a long hiatus. But oh! You should watch out for Jalaluddin Hassan in one of the most ridiculous, over-acting, smarmy, gatal old men role! And at one point he actually asked (in a pseudo game show host voice): ADAKAH ANDA PASTI? Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I nearly fell of my seat, then! :-P
Later on only did you realize that these two characters were one and the same person, the nurse has morphed into the diva-ish singer as a result of the susuk that she wore. This accounts for her greeting her best friend warmly even though she was already in the shape and form of someone else. Of course, the best friend did not recognize her at all.
All in all, it was just OK to me. As a scary movie, it was gory and titillating enough. I guess I was expecting a bit more from the great Amir Muhammad (I do love his writings in his former NST heydays). I did read another review today that said it was supposed to be a satire on the excessiveness of the life of Malaysian actors and actresses, sort of a poke of fun at their greediness and lust in doing anything they can in order to become rich and famous. Owh well... Encik Amir, you could have made the plot of the movie a wee bit clearer for us dense movie goers lah... :-P
2. The forbidden practice of inserting and embedding foreign objects such as gold, silver and diamonds under a person's skin to increase the person's allure
We watched this movie out of curiosity. Naturally, the lure of mystical black magic that allows one to stay young forever was an interesting topic to me. Plus, this movie was directed by Amir Muhammad who normally directs independent films that almost always gets banned by our overzealous Censorship Board. Oh, occasionally he guest stars in teen soap operas. :-P Anyway, Amir Muhammad is one talented dude. If I'm not mistaken he co-directed this movie with another director.
The story started alright. It had all the right ingredients. Mystery, a lot of blood and flying chickens, hot semi nude ladies in bath tubs swamped by flowers, lifestyle of the rich and famous and a cast of talented actors who you know in the past, have given very good performance. It tells the story of two ladies, a wannabe Malaysian Idol nurse (played by Diana Rafar) and a diva-ish singer (played by Ida Nerina). This young nurse wants to be a singer, and after she meets up with two famous singers (played by Aleeza Kassim and Sofea Jane) she becomes even more convinced to drop her profession in order to embrace the glamorous lifestyle of a super-star. Of course she had an inkling what one has to do in order to succeed.
Enter the susuk practice. To stay on top of your game, you have to do all that it takes. Including wear susuk, which is obviously forbidden in Islam. Ida meanwhile is already a successful singer in her own right, who is knee deep in the susuk business. Almost always by her side is her PA (?) cum dukun who has the ability to appear and disappear at will! (I can't remember his title and I am too lazy to Google it). He is the one who is the ultimate susuk pasang-er (played fabulously by Adlin Aman Ramlee). Somehow, she goes against the restrictions of the susuk (which was not to cross any body of water, i.e. rivers or seas) and she has to kill again in order for the susuk to reverse itself and for her to retain eternal youthfulness.
Somehow, along the way, we got very confused. Why are all susuk users killed in this story? Is she supposed to kill young starlets cum singers in order to reverse the susuk back to its usefulness? And why would a couple of diva singers be interested in a young, naive and very ordinary looking nurse (OK so she is kinda sweet looking!)? Owh, you mean Aleeza is supposed to be lesbian? Owh wow! That wasn't apparent until she took of her bikini top in front of our young nurse here! Plus, you had a scene involving nurse's evil brother in law who was ceremoniously killed by our powerful dukun. It was just a bit much! The acting was alright, though. I loved Adlin in his role, and I thought it was lovely seeing Sofea Jane in what must be one of her recent film performance after quite a long hiatus. But oh! You should watch out for Jalaluddin Hassan in one of the most ridiculous, over-acting, smarmy, gatal old men role! And at one point he actually asked (in a pseudo game show host voice): ADAKAH ANDA PASTI? Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I nearly fell of my seat, then! :-P
Later on only did you realize that these two characters were one and the same person, the nurse has morphed into the diva-ish singer as a result of the susuk that she wore. This accounts for her greeting her best friend warmly even though she was already in the shape and form of someone else. Of course, the best friend did not recognize her at all.
All in all, it was just OK to me. As a scary movie, it was gory and titillating enough. I guess I was expecting a bit more from the great Amir Muhammad (I do love his writings in his former NST heydays). I did read another review today that said it was supposed to be a satire on the excessiveness of the life of Malaysian actors and actresses, sort of a poke of fun at their greediness and lust in doing anything they can in order to become rich and famous. Owh well... Encik Amir, you could have made the plot of the movie a wee bit clearer for us dense movie goers lah... :-P
Jotted by,
4 rejoinders:
Jangan haraplah aku nak jumpe DVD SUSUK kat sini.Unless SUSUK's in MANDARIN.ha ha ha.It sounds interesting enough though I'M BIAS lah kan sebab AMIR NYAMNYAM MUHAMMAD yang reka cereka.
I've always been a fan of Ida Nerina (since her LAYAR LARA days!Nobody remembers her as the FIRST MANJALARA--Ena Manjalara remember?!).But DIANA RAFAR?!WHY?Sorilah, tapi muka the Rafar sisters cam katak pisang okay.Ambiklah Norkhiriah ke (yang amat talented!) or Emilia ke...anybody BUT the Rafar sisters and definitely not si pitch-y Fasha.
....la.membebel lah plak.
Mrs C: Hey akak! Hmm... you can go to Amir's website to check out more. He even has the deleted scenes put there (watch out for the interview of Jaclyn Victor - who was supposed to be in the only English speaking scene in the movie but got cut out). His blog is www.amirmu.blogspot.com. Anyway, I LOVE IDA! She's so deliciously expressive although in Susuk she was a tad over-acting. Ha ha ha ha ha ENA MANJALARA. Anyway, Diana prettier than Linda lah... so I could tolerate her. Plus, so many cameos, there was one scene where Yasmin Ahmad came in as a nurse!!
went scouting around for YouTube freebies on SUSUK.
...decision is final.cannot tolerate Diana Rafar's voice or face.Loved Ida Nerina to bits.I read somewhere that she's on THE AMAZING RACE ASIA SEASON 3 (http://theyogainstructordiaries.blogspot.com)
I love crazy cameos.
Mrs C: Yeah Ida best jugak walopun dia sometimes overacting. Did you catch Jac's cameo in Susuk? The scene was deleted but Amir posted it (cheh, panggil dia cam member je! You should add him over YM. Dia layan ja :-P). Amazing race 3 asia celebs version? Hmmm...
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