Embun (2002 film)

Embun (Dewdrop) is a 2002 Malaysian historical period drama film directed by Erma Fatima with a screenplay by Erma herself and Rohiman Haroon. The film is co-produced by Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM) and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS).^[2][3][4][5] It tells the story of Embun, a woman who is always enthusiastic in fighting for her brother's mission because he was captured by the Japanese army for resisting the Japanese invasion. The film stars Umie Aida as the titular role, Aqasha, Hani Mohsin, Rahim Razali, Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar, Khatijah Tan and Izi Yahya. The film's dialogue using both Malay and Japanese language as it is sets during the Japanese occupation of Malaya.^[6][7][8]

Originally titled Titisan Air Mata Embun (Teardrops of a Dew), it is the first film to be co-produced by FNM and FINAS–the two Malaysian film regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Information–with a production cost of RM3 million. Filming took place in July and September 2001 in Penang, Perlis and Perak. Embun was released on 1 August 2002 in Malaysian cinemas. Despite receiving positive reviews, the film was a commercial failure when it only earned a box office collection of RM142,000. The film won 6 out of 10 nominations at the 2003 Anugerah Skrin and 7 out of 12 nominations at the 16th Malaysian Film Festival. Although the film's artistic aspects was well received, it also faced criticism.^[9][10]

Embun, her brother Bayu and her lover, Lieutenant Koishi is an ordinary village residents who lived during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Embun, who is 17 years old, is a Malay woman with a strong spirit of liberation and fighting spirit. She is unlike other women of her time who are always stuck in the kitchen or give in to male domination. Like her brother who was the main driving force of the Young Malay Union in Bayan Lepas, Penang, Embun believes that the arrival of Japan can be used to the best of her ability to free the Malays from the clutches of the British colonialists. Bayu is an Arab school graduate and a loyal follower of the founder of KMM, Ibrahim Haji Yaakob and a ward of Dr. Burhanuddin Al-Helmy. They readily believe in the slogans "Asia for Asians" and "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" that the Japanese government has been shouting.

One day, a year after the arrival of the Japanese, Bayu was arrested for holding a protest rally against the Japanese. Embun braved up the courage to meet General Kurugawa to request the release of his brother. Unfortunately, Embun was captured by Lieutenant Akishi and the girl was gang-raped. Lieutenant Koishi, who had just been transferred there, saw the torture and saved Embun. Embun became even more sad when his father, Pak Harun, was killed. Since that incident, Embun became more passionate and held a grudge against the Japanese army. With Koishi's help, Embun met Kurugawa to discuss Bayu's release. He was required to work with Koishi to persuade the Malays to support the Japanese through a development program in Kampung Bukit, Bayan Lepas.

Embun and Koishi's relationship grew closer like that of lovers, which worried Akishi who later discovered that Koishi betrayed the colonialists by helping the Malays fight the colonialists and wanted Koishi and Embun to be executed. Koishi also died at the end of the story after being killed and avenged by Embun for killing his lover. Akishi also died after being stabbed by Embun.

• Umie Aida as Embun, a young woman who only works at home then becomes involved in the anti-Japanese struggle after Bayu's arrest followed by the death of her father and becomes a victim of Akashi.^[1][11][12]
• Aqasha as Lieutenant Koishi, a Japanese military officer who has a good character and dislikes the cruelty committed by Akishi and Saito.^[1][11][13]
• Hani Mohsin as Bayu Harun, an older brother of Embun and former chief of KMM Bayan Lepas who championed the Malay rights.^[1][14]
• Izi Yahya as Lieutenant Akishi, a Japanese military officer who had no feelings and committed wrongdoings including raping Embun and torturing Bayu.^[1][15]
• Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar as General Kurugawa, a Japanese military chief at the northern territory.^[1]
• Khatijah Tan as Mak Temah, Embun's and Bayu's mother.^[1]
• Aziz Sattar as Pak Mail^[1]
• Mak Kwai Yuen as Saito, Akishi's right-hand man.^[1]
• Riezman Khuzaimi as Majid, Bayu's best friend that helps his struggles and Embun.^[1]
• Razak Ahmad as Hassan, Bayu's best friend who conspired with Akashi.^[1]
• Ropie Cecupak as Kadir^[1]
• Zul Huzaimy as Rashid^[1]
• Loloq as Non Cabai^[1]
• Zuhairi Ibrahim as Amin^[1]
• Rahim Razali as Pak Harun^[1]
• Ellie Suriati as Melati^[1][16]
• Ismail Din as Pak Melati^[1]
• Normah Damanhuri as Mak Melati^[1]
• Haeriyanto Hassan as Kamal^[1]

• Embun at IMDb