THE life journey of prominent esports player Muhammad Faris Zakaria alias Soloz is the inspiration behind 'Game Of Life' directed by acclaimed filmmaker Syafiq Yusof.
Syafiq's new film targeted for release in January takes viewers into Soloz's experiences facing various challenges to forge a name for himself in mobile gaming specifically Mobile Legends: Bang Bang or MLBB.
INTENSE RIVALRY
'Game Of Life' also looks into Soloz's intense rivalry with TheBoss and Singapore's Vengeance team.
This healthy competition between them teaches him the values of friendship, team spirit and sportsmanship that become the foundation for his success.
GREAT POTENTIAL
National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman Datuk Kamil Othman launched the film at the Connexion Conference And Events Centre in Bangsar South recently.
The event was also attended by the film's main cast Hun Haqeem, Ikmal Amry, Jaa Suzuran, Jiha Sham and Hafeez Mikail.
Kamil said: "'Game Of Life' has great potential to become a successful local movie. MLBB is hugely popular with 5.2 million players today."
Kamil added that the film also had the potential to go international based on the 85 million annual global player count from 2021 to 2023.
FIRST OF ITS KIND
Syafiq who is best known for directing 'Abang Long Fadil 3' and 'Polis Evo 3' believed that the film could capture the attention of young gamers and sports enthusiasts around the country and beyond.
"This movie is a first of its kind," he said.
Not much of a gaming fan, Syafiq admitted that he was impressed with Soloz's story after reading about him.
"We tend to stigmatise gaming and liken it to gambling, which is not fair," he said.
BEAUTIFUL STORIES
Syafiq, who is a computer games fan, also said that the esports industry had great potential to grow and this would help boost the national economy.
He admitted that sports films in recent years such as 'Ola Bola', 'Suatu Ketika' and 'Anak Harimau' got him interested in the genre as they were "stories beautifully told".
"Such films promote the best of Malaysians in various sports, and their success stories are seldom told."
KLANG VALLEY
Syafiq added that the film produced by Key Billions Sdn Bhd will take two months to complete and will cost about RM8 million.
"Filming will begin in June, and it will take place around the Klang Valley because that is where Soloz's real adventures happened," he said.
MOST WATCHED
Frame Motion Pictures will provide special effects while Skop Productions will be the distributor.
The film was made possible after Key Billions and MLBB's creator, Chinese company Moonton Games signed a copyright agreement last year.
MLBB with 530 million viewers was the most watched video game last year.
FICTITIOUS RIVAL
In 'Game Of Life', Hun plays Soloz while Pulau star Ikmal is Irfan, his fictitious rival who is based on various people Soloz met on his journey to stardom.
Hun, 26, is honoured to play a non-fiction character for the first time and an interesting one too.
"I'm always grateful to Soloz for helping me a lot in preparing for the role. I'm not much into esports but Soloz gave me a great beginner's lesson, and gradually I'm beginning to love it.
"I hope that esports fans will enjoy the new film which delves deep into their world," he said.
INITIALLY CONFUSING
Hun also said that being Soloz was both a challenge and an adventure.
"The biggest challenge was familiarising myself with the many esports terms. It was confusing at first.
"However, I always enjoy learning new things and I'm looking forward to stepping into the shoes of Soloz for the silver screen."
PULAU STAR
Ikmal, 29, who has been playing esports for five years, said his character was not really a villain but a tough and rather egoistical competitor.
"Irfan is quite a naughty boy like the character I played in the best-selling horror film 'Pulau' last year.
"But at the same time, Irfan is a lot like Soloz and has his own strengths as an esports player.
"Soloz and Irfan are intense rivals but gradually they develop a healthy respect for each other."
EYE CANDY
Syafiq said that Hun and Iqmal were promising new actors who were also 'eye candy" for moviegoers.
"Best of all they both have a strong following among young Malaysians who are the target audience. Hun looks just like Soloz and I am confident that he will take on the role with gusto."
INITIAL RESISTANCE
Soloz said that he was honoured to have a film about his success in esports.
He expressed confidence that more Malaysians will appreciate the sport and participate in it.
"Every new sport faces initial resistance from the older generation, but gradually everyone warms up to it. I strongly believe that the esports industry will continue to grow and produce more world-class players."
