It was a night where culture met cinema, and shadows came to life. The highly anticipated Malaysian film Kulit Wayang officially launched its journey at the Kulit Wayang Cultural Festival @ KL Base, Sungai Besi a 2-day extravaganza that celebrated tradition, storytelling, and community spirit.
More than just a typical movie premiere, the event turned into a vibrant cultural celebration. Featuring a 3km celebrity fun run, a traditional dance competition, interactive games, and a colourful festival ground, the launch became an immersive experience for the public and media alike. The crescendo of the festival? The grand premiere and trailer reveal of Kulit Wayang, a genre-defying fantasy thriller by award-winning director Dain Said, produced by Mico Studio (M) Sdn Bhd.
Gracing the launch were lead cast members Fattah Amin, Pekin Ibrahim, Indonesian stars Reynavenzka Deyandra and Jenna Kamaratih, and rising local Chinese actress Amanda Ang, alongside producer Nevin Hiong and co-producer Penny Chan from EMT Ventures Sdn Bhd.
“We wanted this to be a public celebration a chance to reintroduce our cultural roots through a shared experience,” said Penny Chan, who also served as the festival organiser.
“Kulit Wayang isn’t just a film it’s a bridge to our heritage, told with cinematic artistry and heartfelt storytelling,” she added.
For lead actor Fattah Amin, the film marks a personal milestone.
“We took almost a year to bring this story to life. It’s haunting, it’s beautiful, and it’s rooted in tradition. I’m proud to be part of a film that dares to be different,” he said.
Veteran actor Pekin Ibrahim, who has collaborated with Dain Said before, echoed the sentiment:
“It’s artistic, suspenseful, and a real tribute to our East Coast culture. The director and producer have created something truly special.”
A Tale from the Shadows: The Story of Kulit Wayang
Set in a remote Malaysian coastal village in the 1980s, Kulit Wayang unravels the eerie tale of Pak Lee, a mysterious shadow play master haunted by a tragic past. When Dewi, a young girl accompanying her researcher mother Dian, stumbles into his world, a dark and surreal journey begins. As children begin to vanish, their bodies found mutilated by a man-eating crocodile, Dewi finds herself entangled with supernatural voices spirits of the past seeking justice.
As the lines blur between myth and reality, Dewi becomes the spark that reignites Pak Lee’s art… and his demons.
Returning to the atmospheric swamps that served as the backdrop for Bunohan, Dain Said crafts a fantastical tale inspired by childhood memories of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and folklore.
“Kulit Wayang is about grief, reconciliation, and the enduring power of stories,” said Dain. “It’s a modern branch of the Ramayana tradition, told through a genre lens fantasy, spirits, and imagination.”
“I wanted to show how storytelling once passed through shadows and puppets — can be reimagined for modern audiences while preserving its heart,” he added.
Meet the Stars Behind the Shadows
Fattah Amin – Social media icon with over 4.7 million followers across platforms, winner of multiple acting awards.
Pekin Ibrahim – Acclaimed for his roles in Bunohan, Mat Moto, and Hantu Kak Limah, with a loyal fanbase on YouTube and Instagram.
Reynavenzka Deyandra – Celebrated Indonesian actress known for her roles in Taring, Pulau Hantu, and Brokenhearts.
Jenna Kamaratih – Promising new talent making waves in Indonesian theatre and web series.
Amanda Ang – Singaporean-Malaysian actress praised for her performance in Last Madame and local horror hit Blood Flower.
The cast is further supported by Wan Zulkifli, Farra Zohra, and Zul Zamir, with a screenplay by Dain Said, Ben Omar, and Nandita Solomon, based on a story by Nevin Hiong. The haunting score was composed by Yudha Kobayashi.
Shadow Play, Fans and Festivities
To cap off the evening, audiences were treated to a mesmerizing wayang kulit performance featuring Fattah Amin and Pekin Ibrahim, followed by a meet-and-greet session with fans, influencers, and key opinion leaders.
The event, supported by FINAS and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), was made possible with the backing of over 30 generous brand partners including Surewin Entertainment, Beauterfly International, Halo Optical, RT Pastry, Fusion Snacks Global, Spritzer, Fruitplus, Musang Valley Plantation, and many more.
Mark Your Calendars: 1 May 2025
Kulit Wayang will be haunting over 50 cinemas nationwide beginning 1st May 2025. It promises to be a must-watch cinematic journey blending horror, fantasy, and folklore in a tale that is uniquely Malaysian.
In a final surprise announcement, organisers confirmed that the Malika Music Festival 2025, initially slated alongside the cultural festival, will now be held on 31st May 2025 to allow for a bigger, bolder musical showcase. The event will now feature even more exciting acts alongside previously announced headliners: Nidji, Bunkface, and OAG.
