Sunday, November 30, 2008
 I watched Yasmin Ahmad's latest movie last nite @ the Picturehouse. It caused quite a stir in Malaysia when the lead actress shaved her head bald for this movie..she was even condemned for her 'unIslamic' actions by many Religious body in Malaysia, there were news that Muallaf will most likely be banned in Malaysia.
Anyway, I’m going to do some cut-and-paste from Yasmin’s blog for the synopsis of ‘Muallaf’ :
“20-year old Rohani and her 14-year old sister Rohana are two Malay girls on the run from their wealthy, abusive father. Finding refuge in a smaller town, their secret little world collides with that of Brian , a 30-year old Catholic school teacher. The young man finds himself irresistibly drawn towards the sisters, and the extraordinary courage with which they face adversity, in a relationship that inevitably forces Brian to confront a haunting memory of his own troubled childhood. In this story of lost souls who find comfort in each other, friendship opens the window to forgiveness and a reconciliation with the past. ”
An emotionally engaging film, Yasmin’s obvious personal connection to both Muallaf’s storyline and the lovingly-crafted characters show up in her direction. Both the title and religious undercurrent might initially seem a tad heavy-handed, but delving deeper reveals the inherent message found in all her films: Humanity.
Cleverly using culture and spirituality as a backdrop, Yasmin ultimately underlines human relationships with her signature pluralist approach and a sensitive touch. One might feel her approach and subject matter were replications of her previous films, but the power of good storytelling cannot be denied, especially when it provokes, questions and opens the mind.
“It is not a religious story at all,” Yasmin said of Muallaf. “It’s about coping with a difficult past, how we all have crap in our lives. It’s about how different people cope with it differently. Some cope by being hateful and shutting themselves in. Some cope by forgiving, others by being brave. This is about how the brave help draw out those who shut themselves in and help them reconcile with their ghosts.” The movie was well-helmed by real-life sisters and its 90% in English AND its not your typical Malaysian Malay movies. It also starred Yeo Yan Yan of 881 fame, & her favourite phrase in the movie was 'Chee Toad', mine in real life..hehe.
Wanna know what it means? Please refer to Flix...HAHA
Watch it.
Not at any theatre near you but only The Picturehouse.Labels: Movie
3:01 AM
|
|
