In PETALING JAYA, two colleagues named Ayis and Sia who work at a hotel often clash due to their cultural differences. However, their dynamic changes drastically after an office prank goes awry and they end up switching bodies. Now, they must overcome their differences and step out of their comfort zones if they want to return to their original selves. Adoiii Jiwaku, an upcoming local workplace comedy, is centered around this body-swapping scenario and aims to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions Malaysians hold about each other.
Body-swapping comedies, like Hollywood’s Freaky Friday, have gained popularity as a subgenre. Adoiii Jiwaku seeks to break the mold of traditional patriotic films by debunking common cultural and ethnic misconceptions found within Malaysia. Steve Yap, the film’s director and actor portraying Sia, stated that despite 66 years of independence, Malaysians still harbor misunderstandings due to long-standing false perceptions of each other’s cultures. The film highlights the irony and misplaced beliefs behind these perceptions by showcasing the characters interacting and arguing while inhabiting each other’s bodies on screen.
In an interview with The Star, Yap stated, “We hope this can help viewers better relate to the characters and reflect on their own personal misconceptions they might have towards others, while also gaining a better understanding of the truth.”
Throughout the film, Sia and Ayis, played by Ali Ariami, seek assistance from another colleague named Malesh, portrayed by E. Ramanamohan, in order to rectify their situation. Executive producer Chris Daniel Wong explained that Adoiii Jiwaku aims to instill patriotism through comedy, departing from the usual genres of historical drama or war movies. Wong believes that the younger generation in Malaysia does not connect with older patriotic films, as they cannot relate to events that transpired before their birth. Therefore, the film adopts a modern-day comedy approach that resonates with the youth and their current struggles.
Wong further stated, “We want to instill hope in youth that regardless of what happens in politics or cultural differences, we as Malaysians can and will come together to live together in harmony and unity.”
In addition to the main cast, Adoiii Jiwaku will feature characters from various backgrounds, played by the late Adibah Noor, Amber Chia, Pablo Amirul, Anuar Abdul Hamid, Jack Lim, Chan Fong, Mark O’Dea, and Dennis Lau. The film is set to be released in local cinemas on September 7th.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
