Watch Muallaf
- 2008
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6.7 (164)
Muallaf is a Malaysian film that tells the story of two sisters, Rohani and Rohana, who are living very different lives. Rohani is a successful supermodel who is deeply unhappy and unfulfilled, while Rohana is a troubled teenager who is experimenting with drugs and ditching school. The film explores how their lives intersect when they are both forced to confront their own mortality.
The film opens with Rohani, played by Leysha Al-Yahya, being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. She is initially in denial and chooses to continue her shallow existence, partying and sleeping with anyone who will have her. However, as her condition worsens, she begins to search for deeper meaning in her life.
Meanwhile, Rohana, played by Sharifah Amani, is struggling with her own demons. Her mother has died, and she is rebelling against her strict Muslim upbringing. She befriends a Chinese boy named Ah Soon and begins using drugs, leading her down a dangerous path.
The sisters eventually cross paths when Rohana is caught stealing from a convenience store and Rohani, who has been questioning her existence, witnesses the scene. She takes Rohana under her wing and helps her detox, showing her that there is more to life than drugs and rebellion.
As the sisters grow closer, they discover that they have more in common than they initially thought. They both feel like outcasts in their own way, with Rohani never feeling like she belongs in the world of high fashion, and Rohana feeling like she doesn't fit in with her fellow Muslims. They both struggle with issues of identity, and the film explores how these struggles are universal.
While Muallaf is undoubtedly a heavy film, it is also filled with moments of humor and beauty. The relationship between Rohani and Rohana is heartwarming, and the film is visually stunning, with beautiful shots of Malaysia's landscape and architecture.
The film also tackles important themes, such as religion, morality, and family. It delves into the complexities of faith, and how it can both unite and divide people. It also explores how people's choices affect those around them, and how family can be a source of both comfort and turmoil.
The performances in Muallaf are excellent, with Leysha Al-Yahya and Sharifah Amani both delivering nuanced and empathetic portrayals of their characters. Ning Baizura, who plays Rohani's best friend Fara, brings a sense of levity to the film, providing some much-needed comic relief.
Overall, Muallaf is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores universal themes through the lens of two sisters' lives. It is a poignant and visually stunning work of art that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.