KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — Two broke friends, a failing pickle business and a very unusual secret ingredient — that is the recipe behind Curi Makan, a Malaysian indie film now heading to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The darkly comic horror satire, known internationally as Ali & Ben’s Spicy Meats, will have its world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), which runs from January 28 to February 7, 2027.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to have our world premiere at IFFR, a festival we’ve long admired for championing independent filmmakers and its historic connection to the Malaysian New Wave over two decades ago,” Iskandar Azizuddin, who founded Feisk Productions with Feisal, told Malay Mail.
The film is among the first 10 world premieres announced on October 29 for the festival’s 2027 edition, and will screen in IFFR’s Harbour programme, which showcases contemporary cinema from around the world.
Its story follows two financially struggling friends whose pickle business takes a gruesome turn after they stumble on an unconventional new ingredient, with elements of cannibalism woven in.
The desperate fix becomes an unexpected hit, until unwanted attention threatens to expose the secret behind their products.
Feisk Productions has nine feature films and more than 40 short films to its name, including Tafakur, Angkat and the more recent Tikus.
Iskandar and Feisal wrote the script during Ramadan, a few months before filming in 2025, with no wish to follow conventional filmmaking expectations or prevailing trends.
“It was simply Feisal and I being sincere to our cinematic voice and making the film we wanted to make,” Iskandar said.
What the pair want most, however, is for Malaysians to see it, and Iskandar said that while they hope the film will travel to more countries, they would like it to reach cinemas at home eventually.
There is no word yet on when that might happen, and Iskandar did not say why a Malaysian theatrical release has yet to be secured.
“While a Malaysian theatrical release remains uncertain for now, we’re focusing on the film’s international festival journey and finding audiences beyond our borders.
“Many homegrown talents have had to forge their paths internationally before gaining recognition at home.
“Perhaps this is part of our journey too,” he said.
It is a familiar bind for independent Malaysian filmmakers, who often have to look beyond the local market for audiences, opportunities and recognition.
The team also hopes the IFFR slot will bring more Malaysian stories to international audiences and put a spotlight on lesser-known local actors whose work deserves greater recognition.
Curi Makan stars Amir Nafis, Syazani Zikry and Bella Imani, and is represented for worldwide sales by Kuala Lumpur-based Abnormal Studios.
Further festival screenings and distribution deals have yet to be announced, but the filmmakers will be hoping Rotterdam opens more doors, and perhaps one that leads back to a cinema in Malaysia.
