Synopsis: This story is adapted from a true event when Japanese soldiers killed 176 local people on 21th January 1944 in Petagas, near Kota Kinabalu. The local people were members of the Kinabalu Guerrillas who attempted an uprising against the Japanese forces. From that day, the government of Sabah has held an annual Hari Pahlawan (Heroes’ Day) to commemorate these heroes who sacrificed their lives. This film is told from the point of view of an extra person, the 177th. The narrative begins with one of the Kinabalu Guerrilla's youngest members, Tobob, being ordered to return home since he is too young to join the battle and has not received permission from his mother. Tobob and his younger brother go back to look for her and discover that she has been killed. This is heart-breaking for Tobob who was also an eyewitness to the Japanese massacre of the other members. From that moment, Tobob became mute – the ‘silence’ of the film’s title. Tobob starts his mission as a quiet assassin, moving from one soldier to the next. During the day, Tobob disguises himself as

Director Statement: I grew up near the site of the Petagas War memorial where 176 members of the Kinabalu Guerillas were massacred by the Imperial Japanese army. I've always wondered what if someone escaped this carnage and lived – and this gave rise to the invention of the 177th guy. I don't advocate war or violence. Rather, this film is a means for me to inform the younger generation of this tragic narrative via the creation of an entertaining film as a hero’s journey, promoting unity among all races to fight for their rights, regardless of skin colour or ethnicity. In its own unique way, love always triumphs over evil.