Indonesian actress Asmara Abigail steps into postwar history in ‘Peluru Senja’, calls Malaysia her second home for cinema

She also had to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries.

The acclaimed actress plays Siti, a woman from Pahang, in the film set in Malaya in 1948, during the turbulent period following World War II and at the onset of the Malayan Emergency.

One of her biggest challenges was mastering the Pahang Malay dialect while capturing the essence of a Malaysian woman from that period.

Speaking to Malay Mail, Asmara said she wanted to approach the role with respect, particularly as an Indonesian portraying a Malaysian character.

She also viewed the borders separating Southeast Asian countries as a legacy of colonialism.

“I want to give justice to the character, not only as an Indonesian playing a Malaysian character, but I think the separate parts of Southeast Asia were also because of colonisation.

“I think that, before that, we were like one.

“So, in a way, I also want to eliminate the idea also,” she said.

That sense of regional connection was one of the reasons she was drawn to the project.

Known for her roles in acclaimed Indonesian films including Impetigore and Till Death Do Us Part, as well as her portrayal of Darminah in Joko Anwar’s Pengabdi Setan films, Asmara said she had long wanted to work beyond Indonesia.

“I think it’s important for Southeast Asian filmmakers to work and collaborate together,” she said.

“When I accepted the job and read the script, I felt that it was such an honour to take part of this film because its such an important part of the history, especially as Southeast Asian siblings.”

Peluru Senja brings together performers from Malaysia, Indonesia and beyond, with an international production team spanning the UK, US, Denmark and Bangladesh.

The feature is directed by Singapore-based director Anshul Tiwari, written by Abhi Kumar and stars Malaysian actors Hazman Al Idrus and Fabian Loo alongside Asmara.

For Asmara, the experience has also strengthened her connection with Malaysian cinema.

She said she was filming her fourth Malaysian production when she attended the Peluru Senja gala premiere at GSC LaLaport BBCC on August 22 and had grown increasingly fond of working in the country.

Her previous work includes the Malaysian crime film One Two Jaga, directed by Nam Ron and filmed in Kuala Lumpur.

She also appeared alongside well-known Malaysian actor Bront Palarae in Woo Ming Jin’s science-fiction thriller Stone Turtle, which was filmed in Terengganu.

“I love Malaysia, I love working with Malaysian filmmakers.

“For me, Malaysia is my second home for cinema, so I always look forward to coming back to Malaysia,” she concluded.

Peluru Senja opened in Malaysian cinemas yesterday, with Asmara saying audiences could expect strong performances from the entire cast.