DIRECTOR: Raihan Halim
STARRING: Sharifah Amani, Shaheizy Sam, Wan Hanafi Su, Syuma Salihin, Farah Ahmad
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 48 minutes
LANGUAGE: Malay, English
The sleepy, religious and passionless town of Kampong Bras Basah has suddenly been awoken with the arrival of a lingerie shop called La Luna. While the villagers slowly begin to welcome the shop owner with open arms, the iron-fisted religious leader of the village is hell-bent on driving the shop out of town at all costs.
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La Luna marks director Raihan Halim’s second feature film after Banting in 2014, which was Singapore’s first Malay film since the 1970s. La Luna made its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival and participated in the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival. It was the closing film of the International Film Festival in Rotterdam. It was released in cinemas across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia in November 2023.
The selection was made by members of the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) Advisory Committee, according to a statement issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). “I am at once humbled, amazed and honored to represent Singapore with our little film, La Luna,” said Halim in a statement. “My team and I are truly over the moon! Pun intended.”
The film is produced by Singaporean companies Clover Films and Papahan Films in collaboration with Malaysia’s ACT 2 Pictures and One Cool Film. It was supported by IMDA and the SFC under the Media Talent Progression Programme.
La Luna is a comedic drama and it was filmed in a remote Malaysian town of Kuala Kangsar, near Ipoh in the northwest of the country.
To check out all previous submissions for Singapore, click HERE.
STARRING: Sharifah Amani, Shaheizy Sam, Wan Hanafi Su, Syuma Salihin, Farah Ahmad
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 48 minutes
LANGUAGE: Malay, English
The sleepy, religious and passionless town of Kampong Bras Basah has suddenly been awoken with the arrival of a lingerie shop called La Luna. While the villagers slowly begin to welcome the shop owner with open arms, the iron-fisted religious leader of the village is hell-bent on driving the shop out of town at all costs.
***
La Luna marks director Raihan Halim’s second feature film after Banting in 2014, which was Singapore’s first Malay film since the 1970s. La Luna made its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival and participated in the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival. It was the closing film of the International Film Festival in Rotterdam. It was released in cinemas across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia in November 2023.
The selection was made by members of the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) Advisory Committee, according to a statement issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). “I am at once humbled, amazed and honored to represent Singapore with our little film, La Luna,” said Halim in a statement. “My team and I are truly over the moon! Pun intended.”
The film is produced by Singaporean companies Clover Films and Papahan Films in collaboration with Malaysia’s ACT 2 Pictures and One Cool Film. It was supported by IMDA and the SFC under the Media Talent Progression Programme.
La Luna is a comedic drama and it was filmed in a remote Malaysian town of Kuala Kangsar, near Ipoh in the northwest of the country.
To check out all previous submissions for Singapore, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Your shop has contaminated the purity of my village.”
La Luna, directed by Raihan Halim, is a delightful, thought-provoking dramedy that breathes fresh air into the classic “outsider in a conservative town” tale. Set in the small, traditional village of Kampong Bras Basah, the film tells the story of Hanie, a bold entrepreneur from Kuala Lumpur who opens an upscale lingerie store that doubles as a sanctuary for local women. From its first moments, La Luna immerses audiences in a world where tradition clashes humorously, and often poignantly, with modernity. The film’s unique setting and charismatic characters make it both relatable and distinctly Southeast Asian, offering a memorable cinematic experience.
What stands out immediately about La Luna is Halim’s masterful ability to balance comedy, romance, and social commentary. Despite its potentially divisive themes, the film never feels polemic. Halim navigates cultural sensitivity with a deft touch, turning what could have been a heavy-handed story into one that’s witty and engaging. Instead of portraying religion or tradition as inherently problematic, the film emphasizes the importance of individual interpretation. Tok Hassan, the stern village elder, and Ustaz Fauzi, a kinder religious leader, represent contrasting views on faith, showing that it’s the people, not the system, who dictate how laws and morals affect the community.
The humor in La Luna is another key ingredient that makes it so enjoyable. From the cheeky setup of Hanie’s lingerie shop to the ripple effects it has on the village’s once-sleepy routines, the film uses laughter to highlight the positive changes that Hanie’s presence brings. The humorous tension between conservative norms and modernity is hilariously evident when couples, newly inspired by the shop, start to rekindle their relationships in unexpected places. Hanie’s banter with police officer Salihin, who finds himself caught between duty and his blossoming feelings for her, provides even more lighthearted moments, adding depth to a charming story about change and connection.
The film’s cast delivers standout performances, bringing authenticity and warmth to their characters. Sharifah Amani shines as Hanie, infusing her character with strength, charisma, and just the right amount of mischief. Shaheizy Sam’s portrayal of Salihin adds a touch of vulnerability to his otherwise serious character, creating a chemistry that feels genuine and relatable. Veteran actor Wan Hanafi Su, as the authoritative Tok Hassan, is wonderfully intense, and his role as the “noble villain” makes the character both imposing and understandable.
Beyond its humor and heart, La Luna makes a meaningful statement about the power of personal choice and the importance of openness in a world that often values tradition above all. Halim’s film ultimately champions the idea that change can be a positive force, even in the most conservative settings, when it’s rooted in respect and understanding. With its well-crafted script, superb cast, and striking cinematography, La Luna offers an exceptional blend of entertainment and cultural reflection. It’s a film that invites viewers to laugh, think, and perhaps even re-evaluate their own perspectives on the relationship between tradition and progress.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Your shop has contaminated the purity of my village.”
La Luna, directed by Raihan Halim, is a delightful, thought-provoking dramedy that breathes fresh air into the classic “outsider in a conservative town” tale. Set in the small, traditional village of Kampong Bras Basah, the film tells the story of Hanie, a bold entrepreneur from Kuala Lumpur who opens an upscale lingerie store that doubles as a sanctuary for local women. From its first moments, La Luna immerses audiences in a world where tradition clashes humorously, and often poignantly, with modernity. The film’s unique setting and charismatic characters make it both relatable and distinctly Southeast Asian, offering a memorable cinematic experience.
What stands out immediately about La Luna is Halim’s masterful ability to balance comedy, romance, and social commentary. Despite its potentially divisive themes, the film never feels polemic. Halim navigates cultural sensitivity with a deft touch, turning what could have been a heavy-handed story into one that’s witty and engaging. Instead of portraying religion or tradition as inherently problematic, the film emphasizes the importance of individual interpretation. Tok Hassan, the stern village elder, and Ustaz Fauzi, a kinder religious leader, represent contrasting views on faith, showing that it’s the people, not the system, who dictate how laws and morals affect the community.
The humor in La Luna is another key ingredient that makes it so enjoyable. From the cheeky setup of Hanie’s lingerie shop to the ripple effects it has on the village’s once-sleepy routines, the film uses laughter to highlight the positive changes that Hanie’s presence brings. The humorous tension between conservative norms and modernity is hilariously evident when couples, newly inspired by the shop, start to rekindle their relationships in unexpected places. Hanie’s banter with police officer Salihin, who finds himself caught between duty and his blossoming feelings for her, provides even more lighthearted moments, adding depth to a charming story about change and connection.
The film’s cast delivers standout performances, bringing authenticity and warmth to their characters. Sharifah Amani shines as Hanie, infusing her character with strength, charisma, and just the right amount of mischief. Shaheizy Sam’s portrayal of Salihin adds a touch of vulnerability to his otherwise serious character, creating a chemistry that feels genuine and relatable. Veteran actor Wan Hanafi Su, as the authoritative Tok Hassan, is wonderfully intense, and his role as the “noble villain” makes the character both imposing and understandable.
Beyond its humor and heart, La Luna makes a meaningful statement about the power of personal choice and the importance of openness in a world that often values tradition above all. Halim’s film ultimately champions the idea that change can be a positive force, even in the most conservative settings, when it’s rooted in respect and understanding. With its well-crafted script, superb cast, and striking cinematography, La Luna offers an exceptional blend of entertainment and cultural reflection. It’s a film that invites viewers to laugh, think, and perhaps even re-evaluate their own perspectives on the relationship between tradition and progress.
