KUALA LUMPUR: The movie Ola Bola directed by Chiu Keng Guan is not just an ordinary movie about football but a remarkable story of true Malaysian spirit and sacrifice for the nation’s glory.
Those who have watched the 102-minute movie must have came out feeling warm and fuzzy, as some of them were seen crying or smiling widely, others highly-spirited and feeling patriotic.
“It brought back warm memories. I have never seen an appreciative cinema audience giving a round of applause,” said a Twitter user Lee Hui Seng.
Since the film Ola Bola was released on Jan 28 in 120 cinemas nationwide, the film managed to achieve RM12 million in gross box office collection after 18 days of screening.
A football enthusiast Poo Lup Meng, 25, said he felt more grateful being Malaysian now after watching the movie.
“I felt so proud to see people of different races sitting on my left and right in the cinema, the diverse audience shows we are still one,” he said.
A teacher, Mohamad Azli Abdullah, said several scenes in the movie even prompted the viewers to spontaneously shout out ‘Goal!’
Prime Minister’s younger brother Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, who also watched the movie, recollected memories of watching the historic football match at Stadium Merdeka.
“More importantly it was a powerful reminder of a better Malaysia back then,” he commented on Instagram.
“Corruption subsequently damaged our football. Corruption and racism has undermined our nation-building,” said Nazir, who is also CIMB Group chairman.
“The most moving scene to me, as a football fan, was when the national team heard that Malaysia had boycotted the Olympic Games, the team continued to play in the spirit of sportsmanship for the sake of the spectators who filled the stadium,” said Pravin Ganesan, 32, when interviewed.
Ola Bola, which was based on a true story of how the national football team was able to overcome all odds, featured great acting by Bront Palarae and presented a lineup of budding talents, including Luqman Hafidz, JC Chee, Eric Teng, Saran Kumar, Haris Zainuddin and Lim Jian Wen. — Bernama