Skip to content
1981
Volume 36, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1059-440X
  • E-ISSN: 2049-6710

Abstract

The year 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of in cinemas: it was the first animation feature film (in the Malay language) ever made in Malaysia when it was screened in 1998. With a production cost of about RM 5 million (approximately USD 1.2 million), the film was however a box-office flop and did not break even; one film review considered that its animators were ‘not up to mark yet’. In January 2024, the authors talked to ’s director Hassan Muthalib about the film’s production: he reminisced and reflected on his experiences making this milestone film in Malaysian cinema history over a period of three years.

© 2025 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/ac_00089_7
2025-07-14
2026-04-18

Metrics

Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Kadir, Z. A. (1998), ‘Animators not up to mark yet’, New Straits Times, 29 August, p. 24.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Vijayan, S. (2024), ‘A conversation with Hassan Muthalib, father of M’sian Animation’, Free Malaysia Today, 23 July, https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2024/07/23/a-conversation-with-hassan-muthalib-father-of-msian-animation/. Accessed 10 March 2025.
  3. Amiruddin, Adam bin, Ibrahim, Syed Nurfaiz Khalid bin Syed and Roseli, Ahmad Razuri bin (2019), Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal, Malaysia: Les’ Copaque Production.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Hajuningtyas, M. Erwin (2001), Cheritera, Malaysia: Red Rocket Animation.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Muthalib, Hassan (1984), Sang Kancil dan Monyet (‘The mousedeer and the monkey’), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Muthalib, Hassan (1985), Gagak Yang Bijak (‘The clever crow’), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Muthalib, Hassan (1986a), Arnab Yang Sombong (‘The proud rabbit’), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Muthalib, Hassan (1986b), Singa Yang Haloba (‘The greedy lion’), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Muthalib, Hassan (1987), Sang Kancil dan Buaya (The Mousedeer and the Crocodile), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Muthalib, Hassan (1988), Jambo Manja (‘The pampered baby elephant’), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Muthalib, Hassan (1998), Silat Legenda, Malaysia: Peninsula Pictures.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Razak, Nizam and Zakaria, Dzubir Mohamed (2022), Mechamato Movie, Malaysia: Animonsta Studios & Astro Shaw.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Sibir, Rashid (2001), Putih, Malaysia: Eurofine & Fine Animation.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Xavier, Anandam, Rahman, B. and Muthliab, Hassan (1983), Hikayat Sang Kancil (‘The adventures of the mousedeer’), Malaysia: Filem Negara Malaysia.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Zaid, Muhammad Usamah (2019), Ejen Ali: The Movie, Malaysia: Wau Animation & Primeworks Studios.
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/ac_00089_7
Loading
In conversation with Silat Legenda’s director Hassan Muthalib about the making of Malaysia’s first animation feature film
Asian Cinema 36, 79 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1386/ac_00089_7
/content/journals/10.1386/ac_00089_7
/content/journals/10.1386/ac_00089_7
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Other
Keyword(s): 2D animation; cel animation; film production; Hassan Muthalib; Malaysian cinema; Peninsula Pictures; Silat Legenda; storytelling

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test