With the 9th MIFFest on the horizon, we sat down with Bront Palarae, the renowned Malaysian actor who has quietly—and undeniably—redefined Malaysian cinema.

There is a particular kind of actor who doesn’t so much command the screen as inhabit it—and Bront Palarae is precisely that. From the sweeping romance of Ombak Rindu to the spine-chilling dread of Satan’s Slave, and the soul-stirring patriotism of Ola Bola, Bront has long proven that his career wasn’t built on calculated ambition but on quiet curiosity. The Malaysian actor has become one of the region’s most compelling screen presences, moving between genres, languages and emotional registers with an ease that feels almost effortless. As the 9th Malaysian International Film Festival (MIFFest) approaches, we sat down with the MIFFest ambassador to talk about resonance, the world of films and his transcendent career. 

In conversation with Bront Palarae:

Take us back to the beginning—what was the moment you knew acting was what you wanted to do with your life?

I went to film school and got to explore different disciplines—it was essentially about trying, learning and understanding all the components of filmmaking. But when I tried out acting, it had a different perk that I loved. But, to be transparent, once I got my first paycheck, everything clicked in—I thought this is what I wanted to do. 

You’ve built a reputation as one of the most versatile actors in the region—was that intentional, or did it just happen organically?

It’s all about learning and earning. And, once you set out to learn, you’ll start learning from different kinds of people, experiences and environments—getting out of your comfort zone. Once I adopted that kind of mindset, one thing just led to another. It was never really planned; it just happened. 

Who were your biggest influences growing up, both locally and internationally, that shaped how you approach the craft?

I was so blessed—I had great mentors like Mamat Khalid, Dain Said, Osman Ali, and Bernard Chauly. Those were the people who shaped the way I worked, the way I look at acting and filming.

The theme for the 9th MIFFest is “Resonance”—what does that word mean to you personally, both as an actor and as someone who has been part of this festival?

What connected films and people have always been on how they resonated with them. Film is a universal language that transcends language, geographical boundaries and race. Mankind essentially shares the same fear, inspiration and hope, and films resonate that in their own way. So I hope this year’s film amplifies what’s inside all our souls. 

When you think about the films that have truly resonated with you throughout your life, what do they all have in common?

At different ages, steps or journeys, you kind of have a different mindset and worldviews. So, the choice of films that resonated with me kind of changed throughout the years. When I was young, it was a bit darker—I liked Seven, but when I got mature, it was Amélie. I think that’s the beauty of films, it’s all about perceptions. 

How do you think a film festival like MIFFest creates resonance? 

It’s the fact that we have an avenue for people to be able to watch films is a great start. It’s been eight years of MIFFest, and that’s an entirely different feat. It shows consistency, intention and hard work—it shows that there are a lot of people coming together to cultivate opportunity and foster a tradition when it comes to viewing films. I think accessibility is what resonates with people. 

What message would you give to young, emerging Malaysian filmmakers who are hoping to submit their work to MIFFest?

Find your voice—the sooner you find your voice, the better it is. A lot of people are trying to be different, but at the end of the day, what makes something resonate with us has always been truthfulness and originality. 

What kind of stories do you think the world needs more of right now?

We need more hope, comfort and laughter—with what’s happening in the world right now, we need an escape. 

What’s your all-time favourite Malaysian film?

Ramlee’s Pendekar Bujang Lapok.