"Working under the direction of Areel, for me, he is a calm director, but has the spirit of a Malay warrior who never gives up." - Namron (actor, director, NYAFF 2018 guest)

While Geran is Areel Abu Bakar’s directorial debut, he has been a cinematographer for nearly a decade. Bakar had the idea for the film about five years ago, three of which were spent raising funds. He wrote the original story and shot it himself. Although action films are very popular in Malaysia, they rarely focus on the traditional local martial arts, which is precisely what inspired Bakar to make something different. With a cast chock full of real-life silat exponents - and equal opportunity for women and children asskickers as well - the film achieves levels of authenticity and inclusion seldom seen in Malaysian cinema. Blending social relevance into his novel story and approach, the 34-year-old director has already proven himself a maverick on the rise.