Apprentice

Aiman is 28 and works as a correction office or prison guard as we normally refer to them as. Then he gets transferred to the top 'nick' in the country and this is where they carry out the executions that they are so fond of doing there. Once there he meets Rahim who is charming and World wise. He is drawn to this man who has been the executioner for a long time and knows his craft.

Now as it turns out his father was executed some years before leaving him and his sister in dire straits and affecting them both forever. However, the attraction that Aiman has for Rahim and his special service is stronger than the revulsion and hence he goes on a journey of self discovery.

This is Malay but they speak mostly English but there are sub titles that you may need from time to time which are also quite good. The production values are actually really high and the acting is all top notch too. The story is a simple one but it is compelling and has enough dramatic attention to hold your attention. Recommended for World cinema fans.

There are only a few films dealing with Hangmen. "Shadow Kill (2002) is such a film.

The film do not go though the usual cliché plots. This is entirely different.

A young correctional officer, Aiman is transferred to a top prison. Capital punishment by hanging is being conducted in that prison. He meets an executioner, Rahim, who was doing this job for more than 30 years. Aiman's father was executed by Rahim. This leads to tense drama in the movie. But, there is nothing obvious. There is a high tension, but it is subtle. There are emotions of the prisoners who are going to be hanged, their relationship with the executioner.

The only support of Aiman was his sister Suhaila. His loneliness in life is clearly depicted in the movie. It is very clear when we see the only contact in his mobile was Suhaila.

A very dark emotional drama, clean from all the cliché plots. A freezing end.

Highly recommended for those who are looking for different movies. A must watch.

#KiduMovie

A Singaporean drama; A story about a Malay corrections officer who embarks on a challenging new career as apprentice to the prison hangman. This simple revenge story transforms into a film with a theme on rage, guilt and acceptance. The story is effectively told with drip-feed revelations and a mounting tension as the plot takes the character into successively grim scenarios. Thematically, it is simple, however, and the film stops short of broaching the subject of legal killings or the one pertaining to the character.

I have just watched this film on BBC 4 and really enjoyed it. It makes no judgement for or against capital punishment, the rights or wrongs of those who carry it out. It a short, un-melodramatic film which sees all sides of the argument, the executioner, the family and the perpetrator. The end was ambiguous and slightly contrived but overall it was well made and well acted. I'm glad I watched it.

a delicate theme. brilliant script. fine performances. and the most inspired manner to explore the guilt, the past, the friendship, the duty. in essence, a water drawing. touching, precise, admirable for the courage to not be prisoner of clichés. because it is one of the admirable exploration of subjects who, very easy, could be traps for many directors. and occasion of fascinating meet between Wan Hanafi Su and Firdaus Rahman.