Noob Film Thoughts : Apocalypse Z

Today I’ve read three interesting articles about cinema, back to back. One is about the new Lion King by Thoughts on Films, one written by Pak Hassan Abd Muthalib about a documentary done by Amir Muhammad on Z Lokman, one is about being crazy in making films by m.chron.com.

In their article, titled “In praise of the messy, misunderstood masterpiece (and in search of the next one)”, m.chron.com talks about having the space to go crazy in making films, yet looking at the movie lists of today, you can almost tell how each movies going to feel. There is an almost generic feel to them. Trailers are made out of the same template of fading in and out. Almost a must in order to guarantee acceptance from the majority movie-goers and for financial return. Be a little different and the movie taking the risk of not making money.

Just like how Z Lokman’s movie, Mahaguru did last year. I am no authority to talk about his movies but I can recall his style from back in the 80s. And as I was there watching Mahaguru, it screams Z Lokman from the very beginning. Yet the majority of audience back then has turned it down for feeling and looking ‘cheap’ compared to what they are visually accustomed to. To me it is such an injustice comparison for so many reason, one of them is budget. Despite that, I sat through the whole movie in the theater with another 3 guys. I wrote a review about it and I saw nothing wrong at all with it. It was filled with message about culture and tradition, about manners and courtesy. Some of it done sarcastically and in irony. Grant Mahaguru a higher production budget, it might have given the majority the ‘feel’ they are accustomed to. It might have not been the ‘messy, misunderstood masterpiece’ but to me Z Lokman is being brave for trying to relay the message he has through his film, his style.

The new Lion King animated movie says a lot about the advancement of the tech powerhouse that is Disney. It is actually a milestone where a folklore goes from verbal story telling, to written on paper, published on books form then converted into 2D cell animation and now 3D.
The problem lies to the generation who grew up with the 1994 2D animated version. 25 years has passed an the images has already being planted in their mind and this new version is like and invasion to the memories. But for the new generation and for those who haven’t watched the 1994 version before, this can be something for them to grow old with. Despite many complains about the lack of depth and feel to characters compared to the 1994 version, watching it for the first time will still teach the new generation about the ‘circle of life’, about respecting your elders, manning up for your mistakes and having faith.

The similarity between the Disney and Z Lokman is both are crazy. The belief in doing what they live for without caring much about what others say. Might not be as crazy as the ‘Vietnam’ that is the filming of Apocalypse Now, but still crazy. I will take crazy over generic any day.

*Kuman Pictures has just recently released their documentary on Z Lokman on YouTube. (but it has been taken down) which was also been premiered in Pusat Kajian & Apresiasi Filem last week.

*Avoiding the Roar – Boycotting ‘The Lion King by Thoughts on Film
https://thoughtsonfilms.com/2019/07/23/the-lion-king/

*In praise of the messy, misunderstood masterpiece (and in search of the next one) by m.chron.com
https://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20190728/in-praise-of-the-messy-misunderstood-masterpiece-movie-and-in-search-of-the-next-one

Thanks for dropping by!