Malaysia’s Syamsul Yusof wins Best Director in Cambodia

Malaysian filmmaker Syamsul Yusof was named Best Director at the 57th Asia-Pacific Film Festival for his work in the horror movie Munafik.

The event took place at Phnom Penh in Cambodia on July 30. Finas chairman Datuk Khusairi Talib congratulated Syamsul on Twitter on July 31, citing “Malaysia berbangga” (Malaysia is proud).

Syamsul responded by saying his grace to God and hope that the local film industry will continue to flourish. The director wasn’t present at the event to receive his award.

Munafik stars Syamsul as an ustaz looking to help a woman (played by Nabila Huda) suffering from a demonic possession. At the same, he struggles with his own faith after the death of his wife.

The film, released in 2016, earned RM19mil for showings in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.

It received five awards at last year’s Malaysia Film Festival including Best Film in the National Language, Best Actress for Nabila and Best Director.

Syamsul also composed and performed the theme song for the movie, Kalah Dalam Menang, which became an Anugerah Juara Lagu contender.

A sequel to Munafik is currently in the works and will star Maya Karin and Nasir Bilal Khan.

Also named a winner at the film festival is Malaysian Gwyneth Lee, who received an award for Best Editing for her work in OlaBola.

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