THE latest police blockbuster 'Sheriff' is a first for Syafiq Yusof in more ways than one.
Not only does it see Syafiq team up with his namesake Syafiq Kyle for the first time, it also marks his first "anti-corruption" film which involves an extraordinary police officer whose task it is to nab all crooked cops.
FRESH CONCEPT
Produced by Skop Productions and Astro Shaw, this action thriller premiered in cinemas nationwide on April 18 and boasts a star-studded cast comprising Zul Ariffin, Syafiq Kyle, Datuk Aaron Aziz, Azira Shafinaz, Elizabeth Tan, Shaharuddin Thamby, Kodi Rasheed and Hazama Azmi among others.
At the recent press preview of 'Sheriff' at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Syafiq said that unlike most police-themed films, 'Sheriff' features a "cop who catches his own kind".
Syafiq said: "The movie introduces a fresh concept rarely explored in our films — reverse whodunit!
"Here, audiences already know the perpetrator but they have to anticipate how he or she will be apprehended in the end."
UNEXPECTED TWISTS
Syafiq, who has been hailed by moviegoers as the King Of Plot Twists, added that in "vintage Syafiq fashion", 'Sheriff' will captivate audiences with its many unexpected twists.
"In slightly more than two hours of explosive action, 'Sheriff' brings the audience on an emotional roller coaster that will leave them awe of their gritty and no-nonsense hero."
FORMIDABLE WOMEN
Syafiq added that the movie also delivers exhilarating action sequences involving Zul, Aaron and Syafiq Kyle.
Best of all, it marks De Fam singer Azira's and Elizabeth's debut as women police inspectors.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
The film's executive producer and Syafiq's father Datuk Yusof Haslam said: "The concept arose from a collaborative effort between Syafiq and I.
"I drew lots of inspiration from our past police-themed successes such as 'KL Special Force' and 'Polis Evo 3'," said Yusof.
"However for 'Sheriff', Syafiq added a special touch catering to enthusiasts of the psychological thriller genre."
POLICE GUIDANCE
Yusof, who is Skop's chairman, added that the Royal Malaysian Police fully supported Sheriff and provided guidance throughout the production process.
SIXTH PARTNERSHIP
Executive producer and Astro Shaw Malay Nusantara business head Raja Jastina Raja Arshad said that they were confident that the film will make its mark in the local film industry.
"It is the sixth movie from our partnership with Skop Productions.
"Although the local film industry is rich with narratives involving uniformed bodies, 'Sheriff' stands apart with its plot intricacies, impactful scenes and unexpected dialogues," she said.
METH KILLER
'Sheriff' tells the story of Sheriffuddin Hussein alias Sheriff (Zul), a tough police officer from the Integrity Department whose duty it is to combat corruption in the police force.
He meets a young and idealistic police officer Nazri (Syafiq Kyle) who works in the Narcotics Department and is investigating a series of brutal murders committed by a mysterious man known as the Meth Killer.
Nazri and Sheriff work together to uncover the killer as well as confront the ruthless drug kingpin Tony (Aaron).
In their mission to bring Tony and the killer to justice, Sheriff and Nazri are aided by no-nonsense women police officers Sha (Azira) and Jane Wong (Elizabeth).
HONEST STORY
Yusof said that the RM6 million film was shot over 81 days around the Klang Valley last year and was meant to be an honest story about fighting the "scourge of the police force".
"It was not easy to please the police. They were not supposed to put the law enforcers in a bad light.
"However they still could highlight graft as it was real. As long as there is redemption and the bad cops get punished, the police were okay with the plot."
UPRIGHT MAN
Zul said that Sheriff was a pretty dark action hero.
"I like him because he is an upright man. A man who does not go by the book and may break police procedural rules. But a man with a moral compass."
ONE SEN THIEF
Syafiq Kyle said that he had always wanted to work with Syafiq Yusof.
"It is so good to finally meet and work together. My character Nazri is an anti-hero like the 'One Sen Thief 'whom I played two years ago," he said.
COMFORT ZONE
Azira said that playing Sha propelled her out of her comfort zone.
"Sha is a mature and brave police officer who also serves as the film's window to the audience," she said.
Elizabeth said that her character Jane was fearless.
"She is an interesting twist character and audiences will find it hard to decide whether she is good or bad."
