APPRENTICE (2016)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 1:36
Cast:  Fir Rahman, Wan Hanafi Su, Mastura Ahmad,
Director: Boo Junfeng
Screenplay: Boo Junfeng

"The payment of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

APPRENTICE is a Singapore produced movie which debuted at the prestigious Cannes film festival this year and is currently 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. When the credits rolled, I can understand why. Everyone in the cinema hall I was in was in total silence for a good 30 secs. I believe we were deeply affected from the 90mins+ experience. It was like we went through a spiritual experience.

The story tells of a young correctional officer (newcomer Fir Rahman) who is transferred to another prison and forms a friendship with the 60+ years old Chief "Hangmen" Executioner, played by Wan Hanifi Su (a Malaysian veteran actor). When the Chief's assistant quit because he just couldn't pull the lever, Rahman's character is asked by the Chief to be his potential successor.

This film is more than just about capital punishment and the moral dilemma our junior protagonist had to face. From the movie trailer, we are given a clue to the motive behind our protagonist's decision to join the prison. But if you were to distill it down further, it's really a story about 'atonement with the father' (you can google this term and read more about it)

In essence, our 'hero' must reconcile with the ultimate authority figure in his life. And in our story here, we are given glimpses of Rahman's character trying to cancel out a wrongdoing throughout his life by doing good deeds and also to resort himself to some act of self-punishment, thus putting himself into a self-imposed prisoner of the mind.

This poetic aspect of the story intrigued me the most. Hats off to the filmmakers wanting to challenge themselves to relate such a complicated human condition to a relatively simple premise of capital punishment of 'gantung sampai mati'. Speaking of that, there is an engagingly educational scene where the Chief explains to his apprentice the technical aspects of hanging a criminal.

In summary, this performance driven movie is very well made. Even the performances of those to be hung are extremely moving. The pacing is good as it moves the movie along effortlessly. Special shout out to the cinematographer and the sound effects crew as they were able to create an immersive sense of dread and claustrophobia.
 
There are many movies out there which highlights the life of the prisoners but never have I seen anything like Apprentice which gives special attention to the life of the guards and the prisoners' family members. This is indeed an emotionally satisfying movie.

"...but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life..." Romans 6:23

Rating: 9.5/10