Pulang, a better-than-average 2018 Malaysian effort directed by Kabir Bhatia, is based on the life of a seafaring man who abandons his family in search of riches and is inspired by the real-life story of a seafaring man who does just that. The title of the film in the Malaysian language means “Return”, while in the picture Othman, a Malaysian boy from a fishing village, goes in search of a better life. He goes to the sea, driven by ambitions and dreams, and takes with him a wife, Thom, who will still wait for him after decades in faith… A woman believing that one day he will go back home.
It is about the across generations stories on the separation suffered and the sacrifices made, for Othman and Thom. This film is characterized by its intense emotion, stunning visuals, and great people and interests that celebrate love, family, sacrifice and the challenges of the abandoned. It is also a confrontation with longing, a testimonial to faithfulness, and presents us Michalikogo life in the hinterland of Malaysia, as well, the rough beauty of water expeditions.
Pulang earned praise for its rich storytelling, performance, and the emotive themes of love and loss across time and different cultures. It was also available for the international audience as it can be streamed via Netflix.