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Merantau
Yuda (newcomer Iko Uwais), a skilled
practitioner of the Indonesian martial art of Silat, is preparing to
undertake the rite of merantau, an ancient custom whereby rural peasants
make the pilgrimage to the bustling metropolis of Jakarta in order to
garner the skills and experiences that will allow them to make a
meaningful contribution to village life.
Upon arrival in the big smoke, Yuda
realises he’s in way over his head. First of all his intended
accommodation doesn’t actually materialise, and he is forced to spend
his nights squatting on a building site. The next day his wallet is
stolen by a young pickpocket. Chasing the thief through a warren of
alleyways, Yuda stumbled across teenage stripper Astri (divine debutante
Sisca Jessica) being robbed and accosted by her boss. Yuda promptly and
honourably puts the hurtin’ on the scoundrel, and in the days that
follow uncovers a sordid people smuggling ring operated by a Dutch crime
lord (Mads Koudal) and his cronies. They want Astri, and Yuda must go
to increasingly desperate lengths to protect her.
Reportedly the first Indonesian martial
arts film in 15 years and the first to feature the art of Silat,
Merantau is a remarkable sophomore outing for Welsh director Gareth
Evans. Uwais, who despite his tender age is a 15-year veteran of Silat,
brings a vulnerability to his role as leading man, and the remarkably
talented Sisca Jessica lends an adroit counterweight as the brash,
beautiful Astri. Its weighty themes of displacement and the loss of
personal identity are intelligently executed, and the fight sequences
are realistic, intense and expertly staged. For a neophyte Uwais also
has the requisite presence to pull off such a role, and is definitely a
future martial arts star in the making.
Merantau is truly captivating. Its
denouement is almost singularly melodramatic, but the journey is so
thrilling and so enjoyable that by that point you’re willing to forgive
the lapse into the lachrymal, and overall the film is a markedly
effective showcase for the Silat form with a well-developed heartfelt
undercurrent - the perfect blend between action and emotionality.
Audio & Video
Nothing to fault in this regard. The 16:9
anamorphic widescreen transfer is sharp and the cinematography lush.
The film also performs well on the audio front, with the Indonesian 5.1
soundtrack coming across as balanced and resonant. The soundtrack
itself is also an impressive affair, comprising a frenetic blend of
Orientalism and electronica that augments the many action sequences and
mirrors the contrasts of Yuda’s journey from country to city.
Special Features
Making Of Merantau (15:11)
Two Deleted Scenes
Featurettes: The Beginning (5:04),
The Choreography (5:07), The Test (5:50), The Cast and
Press Conference (5:18), The 56 Takes (5:06), Bekasi
(5:13), Bukkit Tinggi (6:03), Streets & Alleyways (6:03),
Studios & The Recruitment Centre (5:47), Rumah Susun
(4:28)
Theatrical Trailer
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