Netflix Movie Franchise 'The Platform' Uses Malay Words For Their Characters' Names. Why?
One of the characters' names is Dagin Babi! What?!
With the release of the second instalment of the popular Netflix movie, The Platform, many netizens have noticed that some characters have Malay names
This trend is evident not only in the latest release, The Platform 2, but also in the first movie.
The Platform franchise follows the harrowing story of a protagonist's survival in a vertical prison with 333 floors. Each day, a platform laden with food descends from the top to the bottom floor. Due to the greed and gluttony of those on the higher floors, many on the lower floors are left with nothing when the platform reaches them.
Initially, many viewers thought it might be a coincidence that the protagonist in the first movie is called Goreng ('fried' in Malay).
However, many Malaysians have confirmed their suspicions after spotting at least three characters with Malay names in the second movie.
Below are all the characters with Malay names in both movies:
– Goreng ('fried'): The protagonist in The Platform
– Trimagasi (sounds like 'terima kasih', which means 'thank you'): A supporting character in both The Platform and The Platform 2
– Perempuan ('woman'): The protagonist in The Platform 2
– Dagin Babi ('pork'): The antagonist in The Platform 2
– Sahabat ('companion): A supporting character in The Platform 2
– Kekasih ('beloved'): An off-screen character in The Platform 2
Indonesia media outlets have also pointed out that two other characters have Bahasa Indonesia names
IDN Times reported that the characters Imoguiri and Sr Brambang are named after an area in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and the word for 'shallot' in Bahasa Indonesia, respectively.
The six Malay names mentioned above also share the same meanings in Bahasa Indonesia.
Many netizens have taken to social media to express their astonishment at Malay and Indonesian names being used in the movie, with one TikTok garnering over 1.9 million views. Watch it here:
Netflix appears to be aware of the franchise's deliberate use of Malay and Indonesian names for its characters
Last week, Netflix Singapore posted a quiz on TikTok, giving followers a Malay name — mostly phrases and food names — based on their level in the movie.
While no media interviews with the cast or director have revealed the reason behind the use of Malay and Bahasa Indonesia names, the franchise's screenwriters had once mentioned in an interview that they are fans of Asian horror movies.
Speaking to Horror Origins in 2020, David Desola and Pedro Rivero explained that they cast an Asian woman in The Platform, where most characters speak Spanish, because her dark hair and physical presence contributed to a strong character vibe.
When asked if they prefer dubs for foreign movies, the screenwriters said they always prefer the original language for its musicality and authenticity.
Although the moviemakers have not confirmed it, it is safe to assume from the interview that Malay and Indonesian names were chosen to give the characters a sense of ambiguity and strength.
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