La Luna (2023 film)

La Luna is a 2023 Singaporean-Malaysian Malay-language romantic comedy film written, with screenplay, story and directed by M. Raihan Halim. The film stars Shaheizy Sam and Sharifah Amani as well as other cast members. The film was released on 9 November 2023 in Malaysia, 16 November in Singapore and 6 December 2023 in Indonesia.

Plot
Tells about a woman (played by Sharifah Amani) who opened a lingerie store named La Luna in a lonely, lazy yet lifeless village, Kampong Bras Basah. There, she meets a widower police officer (Shaheizy Sam) who has a teenage daughter.

The villagers welcome this La Luna shop but it is fiercely opposed by the iron nailed village head (Wan Hanafi Su) who wants to destroy the business at all costs.

Cast

 * Shaheizy Sam as Salihin Arshad
 * Sharifah Amani as Hanie Abdullah
 * Wan Hanafi Su as Tok Hassan
 * Hisyam Hamid as Pa'at
 * Nadiya Nissa as Yam
 * Nam Ron as Ayob
 * Farah Ahmad as Enah
 * Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin as Ustaz Fauzi
 * Wafiy Ilhan as Yazid
 * Syumaila Salihin as Azura Salihin
 * Bella Rahim as Peah
 * Elza Irdalynna as Jenab
 * Nizam Hashim as Eunos

Production
This film was produced by 4 companies from Singapore through Clover Films and Papahan Films, Malaysia (ACT 2 Pictures by Adrian Teh) and Hong Kong (One Cool Film).

Development
Raihan Halim, the director of the film written the story and screenplay alone. Raihan told Cinema Online, "'La Luna is a story that has been playing in my mind for almost a decade. It has the same theme as my first film, 'Banting', in showcasing Malay Muslim stories with unexpected storylines. The story of a lingerie store that can change a society was funny at first... but then it became an attraction for me.'

'I'm incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with such great talents in the region, and I can't wait to introduce La Luna to the world.'"He also told to Malaysiakini that this film has its own unique style even though he admitted this film have a bit naughty.

One Cool Film
Due to massive improvement in Malaysian film, Hong Kong film company-based One Cool Film interested to invest in this film which their collaborate with 3 other companies. Lim Teck, creator of Clover Films was grateful with the support from One Cool Film and also give some opinions and improvements in the film.

One Cool Film later on opened their operation in Malaysia launched on 20 April with The Locksmith as its first feature filmed in the country and this film as its first Singapore-Malaysia co-production.

Filming
The film's principal photography wrap up after 22 days which the shooting take place in Perak.

Release
This film released on 9 November 2023 with Skop Productions holding distribution rights for Malaysian market while in Singapore, Golden Village Pictures responsible for their market thus released on 16 November 2023. This film managed to break into some of the film festivals through Japan on Tokyo International Film Festival and Indonesia through Jakarta Film Week and Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival.

Critical response
The film receive positive review from critics. Noel Wong, writing for Free Malaysia Today, wrote: "A good chunk of laughs are derived from the sexual repression of the villagers, thanks to Tok Hassan’s oppressive rules. Hanie’s arrival, therefore, brings a breath of fresh air to the village’s bedrooms".