#SHOWBIZ: 'Baga' confronts the pain of drug abuse

FOR director Ariff Zulkarnain, 'Baga: Esok Untuk Siapa' is more than just a crime movie.

It is a deeply personal look at the social issues affecting communities in his home state of Terengganu — particularly drug addiction, poverty and the slow disappearance of traditional livelihoods.

Set in a conservative coastal village in the east coast, the film follows Jani (Amir Ahnaf) and his girlfriend Melur (Amirah Razak).

Their lives take a difficult turn when Melur discovers she is pregnant, forcing the young couple to face an uncertain future and stigma from their community.

Jani, a drug user and small-time dealer, works part-time for Pok Awang, an ageing boatman played by Wan Hanafi Su.

Desperate to raise money, Jani decides to buy a larger supply of drugs to sell.

That choice sets off a chain of events that threatens to destroy what little he has left.

ART IMITATING LIFE

Ariff, who wrote and directed the film, says the story was inspired by the real-life problems he saw in his home state.

Returning to Terengganu to shoot the film, he wanted to tell a story that reflected realities often ignored by mainstream entertainment.

"I feel like my journey as a filmmaker isn't complete if I don't make a proper film about my roots," he shares.

The title 'Baga' itself carries a local meaning.

According to Ariff, the word refers to paranoia in the Terengganu dialect — an experience one feels after taking 'pil kuda', a drug similar to methamphetamine.

The filmmaker is also clear about his goal: the film is not meant to glamorise drug abuse or turn addiction into entertainment.

Instead, he hopes his audience will understand what drives people to substance abuse and see the damage it causes to individuals, families and entire communities.

Ariff adds that he is not trying to preach, but is genuinely concerned about the issue.

He believes people struggling with addiction should also be seen in the context of the social and economic systems that have failed them.

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"I am not trying to be the moral police. I see this as a concern," he says, adding that addicts can be victims of their circumstances and a lack of education, even if their actions later lead to crime and further harm.

Ariff's determination to keep things realistic also shaped how he filmed scenes involving drug use.

He explains that these moments were necessary to help audiences understand Jani's situation and feel for him.

"If we remove them, audiences won't fully understand or empathise with the main character," he says, noting that the story's emotional impact would be lost if the reality of addiction were softened or hidden.

WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE

For Amir, playing Jani proved to be one of the most emotionally demanding roles of his career.

The 26-year-old actor researched the effects of drug addiction by watching videos and studying the body language, speech patterns and eye movements of people affected by substance abuse.

He also practised his character alone in his room, recording himself on camera while working through the script.

The challenge, however, did not end when filming wrapped.

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Amir reveals that he struggled to detach himself from Jani, describing the period after production as one of the darkest phases of his life.

"After filming ended, I went through what could be described as one of the darkest phases of my life. It was very difficult to get out of Jani's character," he recounts.

Uncomfortable being alone at home, he eventually called his younger siblings and asked them to stay with him.

Their presence, he says, helped him feel safe as he slowly returned to himself.

Amirah, meanwhile, approached her first major pairing with Amir by focusing on preparation and teamwork, rather than trying to force an off-screen friendship.

They spent about a month working with an acting coach, studying their characters and building the relationship between Jani and Melur.

Amirah, 27, credits Amir with helping her adapt to acting in front of the camera, something she had less experience with.

His guidance and willingness to explore their roles together made the process much easier for her.

"He was very pleasant as a co-star. He knew what needed to be done and encouraged me to study our characters.

"He helped me in many ways because I am not always in front of the camera, whereas he is more experienced," she explains.

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Amirah says their on-screen chemistry did not come from socialising outside.

Instead, it grew naturally through rehearsals and commitment to their roles.

"We did not do much specifically to build chemistry. Most of the time, we practised with the acting coach.

"During those sessions, we gave our full commitment and contributed what we felt was suitable for the characters.

"We did not go out or hang around together. Thankfully, the chemistry came naturally during filming," she recounts gratefully.

Produced by Indigo Films and Skop Productions, together with Primeworks and Astro Shaw, 'Baga: Esok Untuk Siapa' also stars Wan Hanafi Su, Cech Adrea, Kimal Mokhtar, Idham Maulana and Mat Over.

Through its portrayal of a young couple caught between love, addiction, poverty and tradition, the film encourages audiences to look see the human suffering brought on by drug abuse.

Ultimately, Ariff wants viewers to leave the cinema with more than just a good story.

For him, facing uncomfortable truths is part of what filmmaking should do for society.