Chennai, Feb 27, 2008: Pyramid Saimira Production International Limited, a part of the Pyramid Saimira Group, the world’s fastest growing entertainment conglomerate, has embarked on a mission to recreate television content, with the launch of SIMRAN THIRAI, a mini-mega series. The launch of this project also marks the entry of well-known Tamil actor, Simran, into the small screen arena.
Speaking about the launch of the project, Mr. P S Saminathan, Managing Director, Pyramid Saimira Group, said “Television Content Industry has to undergo a serious mindset change if it has to retain its viewership. Already boredom has set in with repetitive long-winding generational stories, portraying women as the worst villain possible. Pyramid Saimira believes in creating a paradigm shift in whatever it does and this serial will be a start of such a review, showcasing creative talents in a tight script and a fast phased execution. This kind of project will create new viewership and also will be testimony to the fact that given “quality content is platform independent”.
Also speaking at the launch, Mr. K. S. Srinivasan, Director & CEO, Pyramid Saimira Production International Limited, said, “It gives us great pleasure to work with Simran, who was chosen to play the protagonist’s role, via SMS votes. When Simran took a break from working in films, her absence in Tamil cinema was greatly felt by the industry as well as the avid movie-watchers. We are extremely happy that she has agreed to work with us for this series and we are confident that this series will be very well received by the audiences.”
Speaking about the series, Ms. Subhaa Venkat, Creative Head, Pyramid Saimira Production, said “Simran Thirai is a unique project that will churn out new stories every month, outlining varied and innovative roles for the protagonist. The serial will be aired on Jaya TV from March 3, 2008, during the prime time 8.30PM - 9PM slot daily. The roles portrayed by Simran will delineate diverse dimensions of a modern day woman. Another feature that makes Simran Thirai so unique is the fact that every story will see a different director, different technicians, thereby adding that distinct cinematic flavor to the series. We, at Pyramid Saimira Production, will soon be producing close to two hours of television content in every language”
Pyramid Saimira Production plans to rope in reputed writers, directors and other technicians from the cine and television industry for this up-market television product. Vannathupoochi, the first serial in the series, is based on a story by popular writer Sujatha and is being directed by artiste Sripriya. A. Ramesh Kumar handles camera while S. Kumareshan pens the screenplay and Subhaa Venkat, Creative Head, Pyramid Saimira Production, pens the dialogues. The second story in the series will be written by Sripriya and directed by National Award winning Director, Agaththiyan.
The special attraction of this series is the stylish title song that is the culmination of Ramesh Vinayagam’s music, Kaviyarasu Vairamuthu’s lyrics, Dinesh Master’s choreography, along with Chinmayi’s melodious voice for the playback. This song pledges to be extraordinary and promises to abide by contemporary trends and cater to every individual’s taste. The exclusive promos aired on Jaya TV since early January have already generated a lot of excitement amongst the TV-viewing audiences.
About Pyramid Saimira Group:
Pyramid Saimira Group operates in 5 countries. It is a holistic Indian Multinational Entertainment Company. It is present in film exhibition, film distribution, film production, TV content production, advertisement, Gaming & Animation, media, Food & Beverages and Realty etc. It has around nine group companies namely, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd., Pyramid Saimira Production International Limited, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Chain Malaysia., Sdn Bhd, Pyramid Saimira Entertainment Limited, Singapore, Pyramid Saimira Entertainment America, Inc., Saimira Realty Private Limited, Pyramid Saimira Production Services Limited, Dimples Cine Advertising Private Limited & Aurona Technologies Limited.
Its group holding Company, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited, is publicly listed in National Stock Exchange (NSE: PSTL) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE: 532791). In the exhibition sector, it has over 53 multiplexes with approximately 800 screens across India, Malaysia, Singapore and North America. By 2010, the Group plans to operate 175 multiplexes with 2,000 screens in India alone. By its own estimates, Pyramid Saimira ranks as the world’s third largest cinema operator, based on its number of seats and admissions with nearly 4,36,000 seats as of January 2008.
More information is available at www.pstl.in
For further details:
Ms.Subhaa Venkat – 98409 10350
Email : subhaavenkat@pstl.in
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Malaysian Classics : Tiga Abdul
(Courtesy:wikipedia)
Tiga Abdul (The Three Abduls) is a 1964 Malaysian comedy film directed by and starring Malaysian silver-screen icon P. Ramlee. It tells the story of three brothers who are caught in a web of trickery set by the cunning Sadiq Segaraga who uses his three daughters to fleece the three brothers of all their wealth. The movie is a tribute to traditional folktales with a moral set into the story and is set a fictional middle eastern country named Isketambola, which is loosely based on Istanbul, Turkey.
Story and Plot Point
Ismet Ulam Raja is a wealthy businessman with three sons, Abdul Wahab, Abdul Wahib and Abdul Wahub. Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib are selfish and money-minded, running their individual businesses to success. Abdul Wahub, on the other hand, enjoys a simple life and owns a small music shop. When Ismet Ulam Raja has a heart attack on his birthday, Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib start plotting out how much wealth they are set to gain when their father dies. Abdul Wahub is appalled at their behaviour and tries to get their father to go to the hospital, although Ismet Ulam Raja is strongly against hospitals. Their father dies at home, and the two elder brothers immediately distribute their late father's vast wealth among the two of them while Abdul Wahub only inherits their father's house. Although Abdul Wahub is upset at this injustice, he accepts it as he is the youngest brother, and returns to his simple music business.
Sadiq Segaraga, a friend of the late Ismet Ulam Raja, has also set his eyes on the vast wealth that once belonged to his friend. He orders his three beautiful daughters, Hamidah, Rafidah and Ghasidah, to woo the three Abduls. Hamidah is successful in wooing Abdul Wahab and Rafidah is successful in wooing Abdul Wahib, but Ghasidah and Abdul Wahub only argue with each other on sight.
The two elder Abduls meet Sadiq Segaraga to ask for his two daughters' hands in marriage. Sadiq agrees, on the condition that they sign a contract written by him and his lawyer, Kassim Patalon. The contract states that if the Abduls lose their temper at any moment during their marriage, all the wealth they own will go to Sadiq and the Abduls will be sold as slaves. Although they are suspicious of the contract, they agree to sign it. After the marriage, Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib move into Sadiq's home, where they are told they are not allowed to eat their food, only smell it, and they are to sleep in the stables, not in their wives' rooms. The two Abduls lose their temper at these conditions, and Sadiq reveals the contract, claiming all their wealth and sells the two men as slaves.
Abdul Wahub sees his brothers being sold in the marketplace, but cannot do anything. That night his father appears to him in a dream, telling him to meet a man named Sulaiman Akh-laken. Abdul Wahub does as he's instructed and it turns out that Sulaiman Akh-laken is Ismet Ulam Raja's lawyer who managed Ismet's overseas properties, which are now passed on to Abdul Wahub. Abdul Wahub discovers that he is several times richer than his two elder brothers combined. Using this knowledge, he starts his plan by meeting Sadiq Segaraga and asking for Ghasidah's hand in marriage. Sadiq shows Abdul Wahub the same contract he'd presented to his elder brothers, and Abdul Wahub says that he'll sign it, on the condition that Sadiq signs another contract. The second contract states that if Sadiq loses his temper, then Abdul Wahub will claim all his wealth and sell Sadiq as a slave.
Abdul Wahub and Ghasidah are married, although they supposedly still hate each other. Abdul Wahub arrives at Sadiq's home and is told the same things his brothers were told but, being prepared, he reacts to all the conditions with ease. The following days Abdul Wahub counters Sadiq's trickery by avoiding Ghasidah, going on supposed dinner dates with another woman and giving away all the things in Sadiq's shop to the poor. Each time Sadiq almost loses his temper, but his lawyer Kassim Patalon reminds him about the contract he signed.
Ghasidah then confronts Abdul Wahub, asking him whether he's really having an affair with another woman. At first Abdul Wahub pretends it is true, but the truth comes out that it was just pretend, and that he is actually in love with Ghasidah, and Ghasidah is in love with him.
Sadiq Segaraga finally loses his temper when Abdul Wahub invites the people of the town into Sadiq's house to take away anything they want. When Sadiq admits that his truly angry, Abdul Wahub reveals the contract, taking everything that Sadiq owns and selling Sadiq, Kassim Patalon, Rafidah and Hamidah as slaves in the market.
After a while, Abdul Wahub buys Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib (who have been bought by a merchant), along with Sadiq, Kassim Patalon, Rafidah and Hamidah, and brings all of them back to the house that was once the only thing that Abdul Wahub inherited from Ismet Ulam Raja. After a tearful speech, Abdul Wahub apologizes to everyone for his doing and undoes the contracts that bound them as slaves. All those who spent their time as slaves learned their lesson.
Cast
P. Ramlee as Abdul Wahub (youngest son)
Haji Mahadi as Abdul Wahab (eldest son)
S. Kadarisman as Abdul Wahib (middle son)
Ahmad Nisfu as Sadiq Segaraga
Sarimah as Ghasidah (youngest daughter)
Mariani as Hamidah (eldest daughter)
Dayang Sofia as Rafidah (middle daughter)
M. Babjan as Ismet Ulam Raja
Salleh Kamil as Kassim Patalon
S. Shamsuddin as Pencerita
Songs
Bunyi Guitar (The Sound of the Guitar) - Performed by P. Ramlee
Tolong Kami, Bantu Kami (Oh Please Help Us) - Performed by P. Ramlee
Sedangkan Lidah Lagi Tergigit (Even the Tongue) - Performed by P. Ramlee and Saloma
Story and Plot Point
Ismet Ulam Raja is a wealthy businessman with three sons, Abdul Wahab, Abdul Wahib and Abdul Wahub. Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib are selfish and money-minded, running their individual businesses to success. Abdul Wahub, on the other hand, enjoys a simple life and owns a small music shop. When Ismet Ulam Raja has a heart attack on his birthday, Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib start plotting out how much wealth they are set to gain when their father dies. Abdul Wahub is appalled at their behaviour and tries to get their father to go to the hospital, although Ismet Ulam Raja is strongly against hospitals. Their father dies at home, and the two elder brothers immediately distribute their late father's vast wealth among the two of them while Abdul Wahub only inherits their father's house. Although Abdul Wahub is upset at this injustice, he accepts it as he is the youngest brother, and returns to his simple music business.
Sadiq Segaraga, a friend of the late Ismet Ulam Raja, has also set his eyes on the vast wealth that once belonged to his friend. He orders his three beautiful daughters, Hamidah, Rafidah and Ghasidah, to woo the three Abduls. Hamidah is successful in wooing Abdul Wahab and Rafidah is successful in wooing Abdul Wahib, but Ghasidah and Abdul Wahub only argue with each other on sight.
The two elder Abduls meet Sadiq Segaraga to ask for his two daughters' hands in marriage. Sadiq agrees, on the condition that they sign a contract written by him and his lawyer, Kassim Patalon. The contract states that if the Abduls lose their temper at any moment during their marriage, all the wealth they own will go to Sadiq and the Abduls will be sold as slaves. Although they are suspicious of the contract, they agree to sign it. After the marriage, Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib move into Sadiq's home, where they are told they are not allowed to eat their food, only smell it, and they are to sleep in the stables, not in their wives' rooms. The two Abduls lose their temper at these conditions, and Sadiq reveals the contract, claiming all their wealth and sells the two men as slaves.
Abdul Wahub sees his brothers being sold in the marketplace, but cannot do anything. That night his father appears to him in a dream, telling him to meet a man named Sulaiman Akh-laken. Abdul Wahub does as he's instructed and it turns out that Sulaiman Akh-laken is Ismet Ulam Raja's lawyer who managed Ismet's overseas properties, which are now passed on to Abdul Wahub. Abdul Wahub discovers that he is several times richer than his two elder brothers combined. Using this knowledge, he starts his plan by meeting Sadiq Segaraga and asking for Ghasidah's hand in marriage. Sadiq shows Abdul Wahub the same contract he'd presented to his elder brothers, and Abdul Wahub says that he'll sign it, on the condition that Sadiq signs another contract. The second contract states that if Sadiq loses his temper, then Abdul Wahub will claim all his wealth and sell Sadiq as a slave.
Abdul Wahub and Ghasidah are married, although they supposedly still hate each other. Abdul Wahub arrives at Sadiq's home and is told the same things his brothers were told but, being prepared, he reacts to all the conditions with ease. The following days Abdul Wahub counters Sadiq's trickery by avoiding Ghasidah, going on supposed dinner dates with another woman and giving away all the things in Sadiq's shop to the poor. Each time Sadiq almost loses his temper, but his lawyer Kassim Patalon reminds him about the contract he signed.
Ghasidah then confronts Abdul Wahub, asking him whether he's really having an affair with another woman. At first Abdul Wahub pretends it is true, but the truth comes out that it was just pretend, and that he is actually in love with Ghasidah, and Ghasidah is in love with him.
Sadiq Segaraga finally loses his temper when Abdul Wahub invites the people of the town into Sadiq's house to take away anything they want. When Sadiq admits that his truly angry, Abdul Wahub reveals the contract, taking everything that Sadiq owns and selling Sadiq, Kassim Patalon, Rafidah and Hamidah as slaves in the market.
After a while, Abdul Wahub buys Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahib (who have been bought by a merchant), along with Sadiq, Kassim Patalon, Rafidah and Hamidah, and brings all of them back to the house that was once the only thing that Abdul Wahub inherited from Ismet Ulam Raja. After a tearful speech, Abdul Wahub apologizes to everyone for his doing and undoes the contracts that bound them as slaves. All those who spent their time as slaves learned their lesson.
Cast
P. Ramlee as Abdul Wahub (youngest son)
Haji Mahadi as Abdul Wahab (eldest son)
S. Kadarisman as Abdul Wahib (middle son)
Ahmad Nisfu as Sadiq Segaraga
Sarimah as Ghasidah (youngest daughter)
Mariani as Hamidah (eldest daughter)
Dayang Sofia as Rafidah (middle daughter)
M. Babjan as Ismet Ulam Raja
Salleh Kamil as Kassim Patalon
S. Shamsuddin as Pencerita
Songs
Bunyi Guitar (The Sound of the Guitar) - Performed by P. Ramlee
Tolong Kami, Bantu Kami (Oh Please Help Us) - Performed by P. Ramlee
Sedangkan Lidah Lagi Tergigit (Even the Tongue) - Performed by P. Ramlee and Saloma
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Malaysian classics: Sumolah
(Courtesy: wikipedia)
Sumolah (Let's Sumo) is a 2007 Malaysian action-comedy film starring Afdlin Shauki and featuring the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. The film was shot in Malaysia and Japan. The film has a multi-national cast including Thai actress Inthira Charoenpura who was previously known for her performance in Nang Nak, and Singaporean actor Gurmit Singh known for his performance in the sitcom Phua Chu Kang. The plot of the film revolves about what would happen if an unambitious Malay mat rempit is forced to enter the challenging world of sumo.Story and Plot Point
Ramlee (Afdlin Shauki) is a down and out Malay boy who cannot seem to hold down a job, much to his mother’s (Kartina Aziz) disappointment. Out of a job and out of money, he stumbles across a challenge by sushi restaurant owner Honda (Patrick Teoh) to “eat all you can for free food – within a time limit”. Hungry and desperate, Ramlee attempts the challenge, and fails. In compensation, Honda (Patrick Teoh) lets Ramlee take a job at the restaurant to pay off his due.
Ramlee becomes a member of the Boleh Sushi shop staff, along with Haris (Awie) and Andy (Radhi Khalid). Ramlee is immediately attracted to Honda’s beautiful daughter, Siti (Inthira Charoenpura), who is half-Japanese and half-Malay. He begins to learn the meaning of having good work, good friends and family.
One day he learns that part of his obligation is to take part in the Malaysian Sushi Association Amateur Sumo Wrestling Championships held by the local Japanese owners of sushi restaurants.
Whilst taking part in the initial friendly bout, Akira (Gurmit Singh), Siti’s ex-boyfriend, humiliates him in public. It is only after that that Ramlee finds out that he had been tricked into working for Boleh Sushi because Honda was desperate for a third member for their team.
Ramlee has to make a choice – whether to stay on and fight for Boleh Sushi in the upcoming Championships, or to give up on his new-found family. He decides to step up to the challenge and begins training with the boys for the big fight.
He learns the meaning of the word nokotta – never give up, the fight is not yet won. He learns that no matter what the result, the honour is in fighting the good fight. Ultimately, Ramlee’s challenge is to let go of the excuses he has made for himself, and to fight till the end, no matter what.
Cast
Afdlin Shauki as Ramlee
Inthira Charoenpura as Siti
Gurmit Singh as Akira
Awie as Haris
Patrick Teoh as Honda
Radhi Khalid as Andy
Gavin Yap as Mickey
Terry Gallyot as Hassan
Ben Ten as Tadano
Mohd Afif as Kodok
Kartina Aziz as Mak
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Malaysian Classics: Sepet
(Courtesy:wikipedia)
Sepet is a 2004 Malaysian romantic comedy drama film set in Ipoh, Malaysia. Directed by Yasmin Ahmad, it tells a tale of a love that blooms between a Chinese boy and a Malay girl. Sepet is a Malay word which, in this context, refers to the 'slit eyes' of the Chinese.
Story and Plot Point
19-year old Ah Loong is in charge of a stall selling pirated VCDs. Contrary to the stereotype of his social standing, Ah Loong, starring Ng Choo Seong, is an incurable romantic with an unlikely hobby - he loves to read and write poetry. Quite content to carry on being the Romeo of the slums, Ah Loong's life takes a sudden turn one day when a Malay schoolgirl, Orked, arrives at his stall. She is in search of films starring her favorite actor Takeshi Kaneshiro. Love blossoms between Orked and Ah Loong, although there are social and racial pressures that stand in their way. In the end, Ah Loong is involved in a motor vehicle accident while Orked is going to England to pursue her studies. It is not clear if he lived or died until the sequel, Gubra which shows that Jason really did die. After the credits finish rolling however, Orked is shown wearing a wedding ring sleeping beside Jason, who also has a wedding ring. In Mukhsin, Jason and the adult Orked are shown to be living together. However, the adult Orked is not called by her name in this scene as the young Orked is.
Story and Plot Point
19-year old Ah Loong is in charge of a stall selling pirated VCDs. Contrary to the stereotype of his social standing, Ah Loong, starring Ng Choo Seong, is an incurable romantic with an unlikely hobby - he loves to read and write poetry. Quite content to carry on being the Romeo of the slums, Ah Loong's life takes a sudden turn one day when a Malay schoolgirl, Orked, arrives at his stall. She is in search of films starring her favorite actor Takeshi Kaneshiro. Love blossoms between Orked and Ah Loong, although there are social and racial pressures that stand in their way. In the end, Ah Loong is involved in a motor vehicle accident while Orked is going to England to pursue her studies. It is not clear if he lived or died until the sequel, Gubra which shows that Jason really did die. After the credits finish rolling however, Orked is shown wearing a wedding ring sleeping beside Jason, who also has a wedding ring. In Mukhsin, Jason and the adult Orked are shown to be living together. However, the adult Orked is not called by her name in this scene as the young Orked is.
Cast
Choo Seong Ng as Ah Loong
Sharifah Amani as Orked
Linus Chung as Keong
Mei Ling Ten as Mah (Ah Loong's mother)
Ida Nerina as Mak (Orked's mother)
Harith Iskander as Abah (Orked's father)
Adibah Noor as Kak Yam
Kar Hoong Thor as Pah (Ah Loong's father)
Zahan Marissa as Lin
Awards
18th Tokyo International Film Festival 2005
Best Asian Film Award
Ninth Malaysian Video Awards
Best Film
27th Créteil International Women's Film Festival in France
Best Film
Choo Seong Ng as Ah Loong
Sharifah Amani as Orked
Linus Chung as Keong
Mei Ling Ten as Mah (Ah Loong's mother)
Ida Nerina as Mak (Orked's mother)
Harith Iskander as Abah (Orked's father)
Adibah Noor as Kak Yam
Kar Hoong Thor as Pah (Ah Loong's father)
Zahan Marissa as Lin
Awards
18th Tokyo International Film Festival 2005
Best Asian Film Award
Ninth Malaysian Video Awards
Best Film
27th Créteil International Women's Film Festival in France
Best Film
18th Malaysian Film Festival
Best Film
Best Original Screenplay (Yasmin Ahmad)
Best Poster
Best Supporting Actress (Ida Nerina)
Most Promising Actor (Ng Choo Seong)
Most Promising Actress (Sharifah Amani)
Global Chinese Golden Arts Awards
Best Film
Anugerah Era 2005
Best Film
Sequels
The sequel to Sepet, called Gubra, was filmed in Ipoh, Malaysia and released in 2006. The third movie in Yasmin Ahmad's Orked trilogy is a prequel to both Sepet and Gubra, titled Mukhsin.
Best Film
Best Original Screenplay (Yasmin Ahmad)
Best Poster
Best Supporting Actress (Ida Nerina)
Most Promising Actor (Ng Choo Seong)
Most Promising Actress (Sharifah Amani)
Global Chinese Golden Arts Awards
Best Film
Anugerah Era 2005
Best Film
Sequels
The sequel to Sepet, called Gubra, was filmed in Ipoh, Malaysia and released in 2006. The third movie in Yasmin Ahmad's Orked trilogy is a prequel to both Sepet and Gubra, titled Mukhsin.
Sarcasms
Being cynical in character, Yasmin Ahmad included a few sarcastic remarks of today's Malaysian society in her film:
Orked had on a few occasions sarcastically criticized her friend, Ling, about her obsession with Western male celebrities, particularly Leonardao Dicaprio. She even told off Ling's Western-facelike Malay boyfriend for failing his English in the SPM examinations. This was in reference to the teenage Malays nowadays' obsession with Western celebrities.
Orked rebutted Ling's boyfriend for questioning her love relationship with a non-Malay, i.e. Jason, by telling him Malay men had been marrying non-Malays for generations. This indirectly referred to today's quite prevailing biased perceptions of people having inter-racial love relationships. It was also expressed through Keong's dialogue with Jason when the former was hospitalized. Keong had said people in the olden times can marry each other regardless of race but people in the today's more civilized society tend to fight over and think too much of such matters.
Mak Inom expressed her gratefulness to Him after knowing Orked obtained a scholarship to study overseas despite getting 5As in the SPM examinations. Kak Yam, who was sitting beside her, solemnly said Jason had 7As (probably a few years back but wasn't even offered a scholarshhip). This indirectly criticized the Malaysian Government's perceived biased treatment in handing out scholarships to non-Bumiputras.
Controversy
The film was initially banned in Malaysia for four reasons, pertaining primarily to scenes deemed in inappropriate to the Malay community and their Islamic faith:
There's a scene where the father and the mother were dancing in their sarongs (a large sheet of fabric, often wrapped around the waist (for men) and above the chest (for women)).
A scene where the father and the mother were tickling each other in bed after having sex.
There's also a scene where the family comb each other's hair, where the women only wear sarongs.
Ah Loong didn't convert to Islam at the end despite his courtship with Orked who is a Muslim.
Director Yasmin Ahmad gained enough support from the government, and finally, the movie was shown in Malaysian cinemas, with 9 cuts on the movie.
Being cynical in character, Yasmin Ahmad included a few sarcastic remarks of today's Malaysian society in her film:
Orked had on a few occasions sarcastically criticized her friend, Ling, about her obsession with Western male celebrities, particularly Leonardao Dicaprio. She even told off Ling's Western-facelike Malay boyfriend for failing his English in the SPM examinations. This was in reference to the teenage Malays nowadays' obsession with Western celebrities.
Orked rebutted Ling's boyfriend for questioning her love relationship with a non-Malay, i.e. Jason, by telling him Malay men had been marrying non-Malays for generations. This indirectly referred to today's quite prevailing biased perceptions of people having inter-racial love relationships. It was also expressed through Keong's dialogue with Jason when the former was hospitalized. Keong had said people in the olden times can marry each other regardless of race but people in the today's more civilized society tend to fight over and think too much of such matters.
Mak Inom expressed her gratefulness to Him after knowing Orked obtained a scholarship to study overseas despite getting 5As in the SPM examinations. Kak Yam, who was sitting beside her, solemnly said Jason had 7As (probably a few years back but wasn't even offered a scholarshhip). This indirectly criticized the Malaysian Government's perceived biased treatment in handing out scholarships to non-Bumiputras.
Controversy
The film was initially banned in Malaysia for four reasons, pertaining primarily to scenes deemed in inappropriate to the Malay community and their Islamic faith:
There's a scene where the father and the mother were dancing in their sarongs (a large sheet of fabric, often wrapped around the waist (for men) and above the chest (for women)).
A scene where the father and the mother were tickling each other in bed after having sex.
There's also a scene where the family comb each other's hair, where the women only wear sarongs.
Ah Loong didn't convert to Islam at the end despite his courtship with Orked who is a Muslim.
Director Yasmin Ahmad gained enough support from the government, and finally, the movie was shown in Malaysian cinemas, with 9 cuts on the movie.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Malaysian Classics: Seniman Bujang Lapok
Seniman Bujang Lapok (The Three Bachelors as Actors) is a 1961 Malaysian comedy film directed by P. Ramlee. It is the fourth installment in the "Bujang Lapok" series of films, but the last to feature P. Ramlee, S.Shamsuddin and Aziz Sattar as the main trio of actors. However, it is not a direct sequel to the previous "Bujang Lapok" films, as there are no references to the events of the previous films.
The film is a self-referential spoof of the Malay film industry of the late 1950s/early 1960s. The plot revolves around the main trio attempting to become actors and break into the film business, and hence features a fictionalised look at the behind-the-scenes process of Malay film-making during that time. The line between reality and fiction is blurred as real film industry places are used, real film sets of previous Malay films are used for the film-within-the-film, and all the featured actors use their real-life names or derivatives thereof.
The film-within-the film, "Setan Angkat Julang", is a fictionalised account of the historical event of "Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang", i.e. the death of Sultan Mahmud as he was carried upon an altar.
Fifteen years after this film was released, another "Bujang Lapok" film was made: Bujang Lapok Kembali Daa (The Return of the Three Bachelors). The fifth and final installment in the series was directed by Aziz Sattar and featured P. Ramlee's son Nasir P. Ramlee taking over P. Ramlee’s part in the trio.
Story and Plot Point
The "bujang lapok" trio of Ramli, Sudin and Ajis go to Jalan Ampas Studio in response to an open call audition. During their audition, they drive director Ahmad Nisfu crazy by forgetting the script and improvising with their own lines. However, the studio boss likes their natural comedic talent and tells the director that the trio are to be signed on for an oncoming film.
Back at home, Ramlee is in love with a nurse, Cik Salmah, who is being watched by Sharif Dol, a villain from a neighbouring village. Sharif Dol sends his mother to propose but Salmah turns him down. The vengeful Sharif Dol burns down the entire village to get even, but is later arrested for his crime.
Songs
Menchecheh Bujang Lapok
Gelora
Cast
P. Ramlee as Ramli
S.Shamsuddin as Sudin
Aziz Sattar as Ajis
Saloma as Miss Salmah
Sharif Dol as Sharif Dol
Ahmad Nisfu as Director Ahmad Nisfu
Of note, Saloma's real name is Salmah Ismail.
The film is a self-referential spoof of the Malay film industry of the late 1950s/early 1960s. The plot revolves around the main trio attempting to become actors and break into the film business, and hence features a fictionalised look at the behind-the-scenes process of Malay film-making during that time. The line between reality and fiction is blurred as real film industry places are used, real film sets of previous Malay films are used for the film-within-the-film, and all the featured actors use their real-life names or derivatives thereof.
The film-within-the film, "Setan Angkat Julang", is a fictionalised account of the historical event of "Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang", i.e. the death of Sultan Mahmud as he was carried upon an altar.
Fifteen years after this film was released, another "Bujang Lapok" film was made: Bujang Lapok Kembali Daa (The Return of the Three Bachelors). The fifth and final installment in the series was directed by Aziz Sattar and featured P. Ramlee's son Nasir P. Ramlee taking over P. Ramlee’s part in the trio.
Story and Plot Point
The "bujang lapok" trio of Ramli, Sudin and Ajis go to Jalan Ampas Studio in response to an open call audition. During their audition, they drive director Ahmad Nisfu crazy by forgetting the script and improvising with their own lines. However, the studio boss likes their natural comedic talent and tells the director that the trio are to be signed on for an oncoming film.
Back at home, Ramlee is in love with a nurse, Cik Salmah, who is being watched by Sharif Dol, a villain from a neighbouring village. Sharif Dol sends his mother to propose but Salmah turns him down. The vengeful Sharif Dol burns down the entire village to get even, but is later arrested for his crime.
Songs
Menchecheh Bujang Lapok
Gelora
Cast
P. Ramlee as Ramli
S.Shamsuddin as Sudin
Aziz Sattar as Ajis
Saloma as Miss Salmah
Sharif Dol as Sharif Dol
Ahmad Nisfu as Director Ahmad Nisfu
Of note, Saloma's real name is Salmah Ismail.
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