Film 'Is Not a Joke' Inspired by Rising School Bullying Cases

Concerned by a rise in school bullying incidents, Malaysian director and producer Captain Denil Choong has inspired the creation of the film 'Is Not a Joke.' Choong stated that the film draws inspiration from actual cases but presents them in a fictionalized manner to avoid re-traumatizing victims' families.

"Bullying is not a joke," Choong declared at the trailer launch event held at the Police Training Centre (PULAPOL) in Kuala Lumpur. He explained the film's title stems from the common excuse perpetrators use after harming victims. Choong collaborated with the police, who agreed to prioritize the issue due to its urgency.

The film, which shot for 33 days at locations including PULAPOL, KPJ Tower, and Bukit Aman, features real police officers to enhance realism. To further its anti-bullying mission, 'Is Not a Joke' plans to conduct free screenings at 100 schools across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. These screenings will include awareness talks by the police, CyberSecurity Malaysia, and other relevant agencies.

'Is Not a Joke,' a Mandarin-language film, is slated for a theatrical release in late 2026, potentially coinciding with school holidays and the Chinese New Year festivities.