Merantau

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'''''Merantau''''', released in some countries as '''''Merantau Warrior''''', is a 2009 [[Cinema of Indonesia|Indonesian]] [[martial arts film|martial arts]] [[action film]] written, directed and edited by [[Gareth Evans (filmmaker)|Gareth Huw Evans]], and starring [[Iko Uwais]]. The film marked Uwais' debut as an actor and was the first collaboration between director Evans and star Uwais. It also marks the acting debut of [[Yayan Ruhian]], who, along with Uwais, Evans met while shooting for a documentary in [[Indonesia]]. It was this documentary which introduced Evans to the martial art of ''[[Pencak Silat]]''.

'''''Merantau''''', released in some countries as '''''Merantau Warrior''''', is a 2009 [[Cinema of Indonesia|Indonesian]] [[martial arts film|martial arts]] [[action film]] written, directed and edited by [[Gareth Evans (filmmaker)|Gareth Huw Evans]], and starring [[Iko Uwais]]. The film marked Uwais' debut as an actor and was the first collaboration between director Evans and star Uwais. It also marks the acting debut of [[Yayan Ruhian]], who, along with Uwais, Evans met while shooting for a documentary in [[Indonesia]]. It was this documentary which introduced Evans to the martial art of [[pencak silat]].

The film showcases the [[Minangkabau people|Minangkabau]] tradition of "Merantau", a [[rite of passage]] where a man leaves his home to pursue a career or gain experience outside of the village, a culture where inheritance is largely matriarchal. It showcases Yuda who leaves his village in hopes of teaching [[Silat]] in [[Jakarta]], only to be sidetracked as he attempts to save a girl from being kidnapped. The film showcases a style of Silat known as "Silek Harimau" (Tiger Silat).{{cite news|title= Gareth Evans and Iko Uwais talk Merantau|work= [[Twitch Film]]|url= http://twitchfilm.com/interviews/2009/02/gareth-evans-and-iko-uwais-talk-merantau.php|accessdate= 2011-03-21|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120309052649/http://twitchfilm.com/interviews/2009/02/gareth-evans-and-iko-uwais-talk-merantau.php|archive-date= 2012-03-09}}{{cite news|title= Nearly Three Minutes Of Extreme Ass-Whuppery! The Trailer For Merantau Arrives!|work= [[Twitch Film]]|date= 2009-07-23|url= http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/nearly-three-minutes-of-extreme-ass-whuppery-the-trailer-for-merantau-arriv/|first= Todd|last= Brown|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100101073718/http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/nearly-three-minutes-of-extreme-ass-whuppery-the-trailer-for-merantau-arriv/|archive-date= 2010-01-01|url-status= dead}} It also features actors [[Donny Alamsyah]] and [[Alex Abbad]] who, along with Uwais and Ruhiyan, would later appear in Evans' subsequent films in ''[[The Raid (2011 film)|The Raid]]'' (2011) and ''[[The Raid 2]]'' (2014).

The film showcases the [[Minangkabau people|Minangkabau]] tradition of "Merantau", a [[rite of passage]] where a man leaves his home to pursue a career or gain experience outside of the village, a culture where inheritance is largely matriarchal. It showcases Yuda who leaves his village in hopes of teaching [[silat]] in [[Jakarta]], only to be sidetracked as he attempts to save a girl from being kidnapped. The film showcases a style of silat known as silek harimau (tiger silat).{{cite news|title= Gareth Evans and Iko Uwais talk Merantau|work= [[Twitch Film]]|url= http://twitchfilm.com/interviews/2009/02/gareth-evans-and-iko-uwais-talk-merantau.php|accessdate= 2011-03-21|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120309052649/http://twitchfilm.com/interviews/2009/02/gareth-evans-and-iko-uwais-talk-merantau.php|archive-date= 2012-03-09}}{{cite news|title= Nearly Three Minutes Of Extreme Ass-Whuppery! The Trailer For Merantau Arrives!|work= [[Twitch Film]]|date= 2009-07-23|url= http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/nearly-three-minutes-of-extreme-ass-whuppery-the-trailer-for-merantau-arriv/|first= Todd|last= Brown|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100101073718/http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/nearly-three-minutes-of-extreme-ass-whuppery-the-trailer-for-merantau-arriv/|archive-date= 2010-01-01|url-status= dead}} It also features actors [[Donny Alamsyah]] and [[Alex Abbad]] who, along with Uwais and Ruhiyan, would later appear in Evans' subsequent films in ''[[The Raid (2011 film)|The Raid]]'' (2011) and ''[[The Raid 2]]'' (2014).

Evans' first major [[feature film]], ''Merantau'' premiered at the [[Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival]] in South Korea on 23 July 2009, before being released theatrically on 6 August in Indonesia. It won the Jury Award for Best Film at the inaugural 2010 [[ActionFest]] in North Carolina.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/scenes-we-love-iko-uwais-shows-what-he-can-do-in-merantau.php|title=Scenes We Love: Iko Uwais Shows What He Can Do In 'Merantau'|work=Film School Rejects|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512011654/http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/scenes-we-love-iko-uwais-shows-what-he-can-do-in-merantau.php|archive-date=2013-05-12}}

''Merantau'' premiered at the [[Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival]] in South Korea on 23 July 2009, before being released theatrically on 6 August in Indonesia. It won the Jury Award for Best Film at the inaugural 2010 [[ActionFest]] in North Carolina.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/scenes-we-love-iko-uwais-shows-what-he-can-do-in-merantau.php|title=Scenes We Love: Iko Uwais Shows What He Can Do In 'Merantau'|work=Film School Rejects|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512011654/http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/scenes-we-love-iko-uwais-shows-what-he-can-do-in-merantau.php|archive-date=2013-05-12}}

==Plot==

==Plot==

The film premiered at the [[Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival]] in South Korea as the opening film of the closing ceremony on 23 July 2009.{{cite web|url=http://13th.pifan.com/eng/event/01_opening.asp#view |title=PIFAN Opening/Closing Ceremony |date=July 2009 |accessdate=28 May 2017}} It was released theatrically on 6 August 2009 in Indonesia. The film made its US debut at the [[Austin Fantastic Fest]] on 24 September 2009, where it was nominated for the Audience Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/42562 |title=Jury Winners & Audience Winner at FANTASTIC FEST 2009 Announced! |publisher= [[Ain't It Cool News]] |accessdate=2011-07-06}}

The film premiered at the [[Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival]] in South Korea as the opening film of the closing ceremony on 23 July 2009.{{cite web|url=http://13th.pifan.com/eng/event/01_opening.asp#view |title=PIFAN Opening/Closing Ceremony |date=July 2009 |accessdate=28 May 2017}} It was released theatrically on 6 August 2009 in Indonesia. The film made its US debut at the [[Austin Fantastic Fest]] on 24 September 2009, where it was nominated for the Audience Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/42562 |title=Jury Winners & Audience Winner at FANTASTIC FEST 2009 Announced! |publisher= [[Ain't It Cool News]] |accessdate=2011-07-06}}

It made its Europe debut at the [[Sitges Film Festival]] in Spain on 9 October 2009, and in France at the Festival Mauvais Genre on 3 April 2010. It was screened at the inaugural [[ActionFest]] on 17 April 2010, where it won the Jury Award for Best Film.{{cite web |last=Marsh |first=James |url=http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/undisputed-3-14-blades-and-merantau-win-at-action-fest-2010-chuck-norris-declines-lifetime-acheiveme.php |title=News: UNDISPUTED 3, 14 BLADES and MERANTAU Win At ActionFest 2010. Chuck Norris Declines Lifetime Achievement Award! |publisher=[[Twitch Film]] |accessdate=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616093737/http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/undisputed-3-14-blades-and-merantau-win-at-action-fest-2010-chuck-norris-declines-lifetime-acheiveme.php |archive-date=2010-06-16 }} The jury included the likes of [[Chuck Norris]], [[Drew McWeeny]] of [[HitFix]], Todd Brown of [[TwitchFilm]], Devin Faraci of [[CHUD.com|CHUD]], and Colin Geddes of [[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]'s Midnight Madness.{{cite web|url=http://www.actionmoviefreak.com/actionfest-2010.php |title=ActionFest 2010 |publisher=ActionMovieFreak.com |date=April 2010 |accessdate=29 May 2017}}

It made its Europe debut at the [[Sitges Film Festival]] in Spain on 9 October 2009, and in France at the Festival Mauvais Genre on 3 April 2010. It was screened at the inaugural [[ActionFest]] on 17 April 2010, where it won the Jury Award for Best Film.{{cite web |last=Marsh |first=James |url=http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/undisputed-3-14-blades-and-merantau-win-at-action-fest-2010-chuck-norris-declines-lifetime-acheiveme.php |title=News: UNDISPUTED 3, 14 BLADES and MERANTAU Win At ActionFest 2010. Chuck Norris Declines Lifetime Achievement Award! |publisher=[[Twitch Film]] |accessdate=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616093737/http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/04/undisputed-3-14-blades-and-merantau-win-at-action-fest-2010-chuck-norris-declines-lifetime-acheiveme.php |archive-date=2010-06-16 }} The jury included the likes of [[Chuck Norris]], [[Drew McWeeny]] of ''[[HitFix]]'', Todd Brown of ''[[TwitchFilm]]'', Devin Faraci of [[CHUD.com|CHUD]], and Colin Geddes of [[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]'s Midnight Madness.{{cite web|url=http://www.actionmoviefreak.com/actionfest-2010.php |title=ActionFest 2010 |publisher=ActionMovieFreak.com |date=April 2010 |accessdate=29 May 2017}}

===Critical response===

===Critical response===

''Merantau'' received generally positive reviews from film critics.{{cite news|title= PiFan 09 Review: MERANTAU|work= [[Twitch Film]]|date= 2009-07-23|url= http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/pifan-09-review-merantau/|first= Todd|last= Brown|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090727092003/http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/pifan-09-review-merantau|archive-date= 2009-07-27|url-status= dead}}{{cite news|title= 'MERANTAU' revives Indonesia's martial arts in film|work= [[The Jakarta Post]]|date=2009-08-02|url= http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/02/merantau039-revives-indonesia039s-martial-arts-film.html | first=Triwik | last=Kurniasari}}{{cite news |title= Merantau Warrior |work= [[Fortean Times]] |url= http://www.forteantimes.com/reviews/films/3871/merantau_warrior.html |accessdate= 2012-05-10 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201203/http://www.forteantimes.com/reviews/films/3871/merantau_warrior.html |archive-date= 2013-10-29 }}

''Merantau'' received generally positive reviews from film critics.{{cite news|title= PiFan 09 Review: MERANTAU|work= [[Twitch Film]]|date= 2009-07-23|url= http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/pifan-09-review-merantau/|first= Todd|last= Brown|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090727092003/http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/pifan-09-review-merantau|archive-date= 2009-07-27|url-status= dead}}{{cite news|title= 'MERANTAU' revives Indonesia's martial arts in film|work= [[The Jakarta Post]]|date=2009-08-02|url= http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/02/merantau039-revives-indonesia039s-martial-arts-film.html | first=Triwik | last=Kurniasari}}{{cite news |title= Merantau Warrior |work= [[Fortean Times]] |url= http://www.forteantimes.com/reviews/films/3871/merantau_warrior.html |accessdate= 2012-05-10 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201203/http://www.forteantimes.com/reviews/films/3871/merantau_warrior.html |archive-date= 2013-10-29 }}> Cole Abaius of ''[[Film School Rejects]] ''calls the film a "Mind-exploding action sequences coupled with genuine emotional impact."{{Cite web|url = http://merantaufilms.com|title = Merantau: Reviews|accessdate = 22 December 2014|publisher = PT Merantau Films}} Harry Knowles of ''[[Ain't It Cool News|Ain't It Cool]]'' opines that the film is "a tremendous martial arts film"; noting it as an "outstanding" film. Moises Chiullan of ''[[Hollywood Elsewhere]]'' wrote that the film is "one of the more compelling and powerful martial arts films" he has seen.>

Andrew Mack, reviewing for ''Twitch Film'', wrote that the film "is the next great martial arts film to come out and one of the best this past decade." Todd Brown, on another review for ''Twitch Film'', praises the film by saying that it "serves very loud notice that Indonesia is back in the action game." Mike Leeder of ''[[Impact (action entertainment magazine)|Impact Magazine]]'' expresses his excitement toward the film, saying that it "proves Indonesian action cinema can stand alongside the best of the rest of the world."

Cole Abaius of ''[[Film School Rejects]] ''calls the film a "Mind-exploding action sequences coupled with genuine emotional impact."{{Cite web|url = http://merantaufilms.com|title = Merantau: Reviews|accessdate = 22 December 2014|publisher = PT Merantau Films}}

Harry Knowles of ''[[Ain't It Cool News|Ain't It Cool]]'' opines that the film is "a tremendous martial arts film"; noting it as an "outstanding" film.

Moises Chiullan of ''[[Hollywood Elsewhere]]'' wrote that the film is "one of the more compelling and powerful martial arts films" he has seen.

Andrew Mack, reviewing for ''[[Twitch Film]]'', wrote that the film "is the next great martial arts film to come out and one of the best this past decade."

Todd Brown, on another review for ''[[Twitch Film]]'', praises the film by saying that it "serves very loud notice that Indonesia is back in the action game."

Mike Leeder of ''[[Impact (action entertainment magazine)|Impact Magazine]]'' expresses his excitement toward the film, saying that it "proves Indonesian action cinema can stand alongside the best of the rest of the world."

===Accolades===

===Accolades===