The Rock Stuns Malay Audience With Traditional Proverbs (Peribahasa)
Netflix Malaysia created hype for the recent movie, Red Notice, starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot with a local twist.
The video went viral on Twitter with over 3000 retweets and rather creative replies.
Red Notice is an Interpol issued global alert to capture the world’s most wanted criminals. In the made for Malaysia promotional video, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson could be seen summarizing the plot of the movie using 4 “batu” related Malay proverbs.
1. SEPERTI BATU DI PULAU
He explained that the criminals were wanted for stealing a fair bit of valuables, almost as many rocks that could be found on an island. The proverb refers to having a lot or an abundance of something.
2. RETAK BATU
Dwayne then gave an insight on the relationship between the two criminals played by Reynolds and Gadot. Being rivals, it is natural for the both of them to not get along and a misunderstanding would only fuel the tension between them. Literally translated, retak batu means cracked rock. There is no way to repair a broken rock, right?
3. UNTUNG SABUT TIMBUL, UNTUNG BATU TENGGELAM
As they travel around the world, they find themselves in situations so dangerous that it boils down to their luck. If they are lucky, they survive, and if they’re not, well they could lose their lives. This proverb is used to explain the uncertainty of one’s fate.
4. ADA UDANG DI SEBALIK BATU
Literally translated, it means prawn hidden behind a rock. The proverb is used to reflect suspicious behaviour of individuals behind their actions. With a heist movie, everyone is a suspect.
BONUS: BATU LONCATAN
Dwayne then ended the video by voicing his hopes that the movie will be a stepping stone for him to achieve greater things.
Netizens found the video to be amusing and entertaining.
Some said that they weren’t aware of the existence of some of the proverbs.
It would have been interesting to hear Dwayne say those proverbs out aloud.
I was expecting him to say those proverbs skskskskskkssk https://t.co/BPmaVPI94b — ina (@seokbinaaa_) November 17, 2021
That is the whole point of having him, The Rock, front the promotional video, geddit?
The full video can be viewed here.
Reporter’s Opinions:Clever marketing. Tapping on the Rock’s popularity in this region and also the fact that he’s austronesian, it is a good move in trying to get more people to stream the movie on Netflix.
And then there are people who politicize everything.
Make sure you had the same energy for Wonder Woman too.
Listen to Plan B’s Podcast this week!
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