THE FESTIVAL BEGINS - WITH A PFFFFTTT!!!

If the symposium on Malaysian film industry held today at the National Art Gallery is anything to gauge the standard of the festival by, then we are in for a lousy time.
I have been to many seminars, symposiums, workshops - all around the world - and this symposium today, is by far, the worse I have attended.
The quality of the panel is questionable to say the least, and none had anything to say that was worthy of note. It was a sheer waste of time and money for all concerned.
For example, there was one panelist who said he could define an Islamic movie in two hours, and then there was this genius who saw fault with everyone but his first movie which he said would make RM10 million at the box office. He also said he has the solution to the ills of the local film industry and the answer to that is to place 1000 kiosks around the nation so that the masses can preview movies and buy tickets through the kiosks. The interesting aspect is that he wants members of the public to invest RM10,000 for each kiosk (of course there's the beautiful ROI story that the 10k will bring you 25k or some such profits in the very near future).
This kiosk thing sounds just like the direct marketing scheme which offers kiosk that dispenses mineral water and also the kiosk that dispenses pre-paid phone cards (but those kiosks are Rm40k each for the gullible investor).
By calculating the business, the guy makes RM10 million cash if he manages to finds suckers to fork our RM10,000 each for 1,000 kiosks. Sad, because most of the kiosks may only cost about RM3k each (I should know - I was a pioneer in interactive multimedia kiosks).
But for the guy to try and sell his kiosk concept at a symposium that was supposed to delve into the ills of the film industry, was to say the least, uncalled for.
Not only that, a representative of JAWI also presented a paper, to promote Islamic values in filmmaking. I thought this was a Malaysian Film Industry seminar - not a seminar in pursuit for the perfect Islamic film or even Malay film. No wonder there was hardly any non-Malays attending the seminar.
For those who didn't even know that the symposium actually marked the beginning of the three day Malaysian Film Festival, it was held at the National Art Gallery at 10 am this morning. About 50 people attended. Very few familiar faces attended - amongst them - Ahmad Ibrahim, Tengku Annuar Musaddad, Raja Azmi, Mansor Puteh, Yusof Mohd. I didn't see any artistes nor any of the younger directors. Of course, the FINAS board members were there in full force - I guess to see their handiwork and then praise themselves for a job well done. Jeez.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABAH!

Happy Birthday Abah! You turn 82 today.

Yes, your birth date carries much significance. In 1945 on August 6, the Yanks drop a 'little' boy on Hiroshima. It marked the beginning of the Nuclear Age - an age that brings fear and consternation to all peace loving people. A few days later, they drop another little gift on Nagasaki. In all I think more than 50,000 people died in the two attacks.

Yes, it caused the Japanese to surrender and the end of the Second World War - A fact - that history has already proved - was already moot. Anyway, that's history and we just hope that we don't repeat such acts again. In fact, until today, throughout history, only the Americans have exploded a nuclear device in another country that has killed civilians. No one else has. Not the Russians. Not the Chinese. Not the North Koreans. Nor the Pakistanis. Nor the Iraqis under Saddam nor any 'rogue' Islamic countries. Only the great U.S. of A!

But I digress.

Also in AD 610, around August 6, the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, to him, was revealed the first words, from the angel Gabriel, of the Koran during his solitary time in the caves of Mt. Hira. Thus marked the beginning of the glorious religion of Islam.

So, it is an auspicious date.

Others who share the same birthdate include Lord Tennyson, Alexander Fleming, Lucille Ball, Robert Culp, Andy Warhol, Dato' Michelle Yeoh and M. Night Shyamalan. My abah is in good company.

Grandpa and the kids. From Left Diandra, Adylla, Abadi and Iliya. Seated in white tees is Nurhadi.

He has been a great Dad. Strict, responsible and loving. He can be very patient, and yet very demanding. He is one of a kind. And to have a father that is very creative, loved by family and friends, is really a gift. I may not have been the perfect son, but to me he has been the perfect father.

Happy Birthday Abah. I love you.

AND THEN THE NOMINATIONS ARE IN...JENG JENG JENGGG!

My prediction is a little off. This is the official nomination list. I got shot down with my Best Actor and Actress - Hati Malaya cast was not nominated at all for this category.
What is also surprising is that two highly educated directors got left out of the Best Director category - Associate Professor (since 2001) Razak Mahideen and Dr Annuar Nur Arai.
I coloured my new predictions in red. Please note that this prediction is not based on merit - not my CHOICE - but instead who I think the jury will be selecting.

Best Director:
1. Hatta Azad Khan - Wayang
2. Shuhaimi Baba - 1957 Hati Malaya
3. Ahmad Idham - Congkak
4. Mamat Khalid - KMBM
5. Osman Ali - Anak Halal

Best Actor:

1. Afdlin Shauki - Sepi
2. Adlin Aman Ramlie - Susuk
3. Rosyam Nor - KMBM
4. Eman Manan - Wayang
5. Farid Kamil - Anak Halal

Best Actress:

1. Maya Karin - Anak Halal
2. Erra Fazira - Anak
3. Fazura - Kayangan
4. Nasha Aziz - Otai
5. Vanidah Imran - Akhirat

Best Screenplay:

1. Wayang - Hatta Azad Khan
2. KMBM - Mamat Khalid
3. Sepi - Ara & Mira Mustaffa
4. Anak Halal - Osman Ali
5. Cuci - Hans Isaac

Best Story:

1. Wayang - Hatta Azad Khan
2. KMBM - Mamat Khalid
3. Sepi - Ara & Mira Mustaffa
4. Anak Halal - Osman Ali
5. Pensil - M.Subash

Best Cinematography:

1. Evolusi KL Drift - Raja Mukhriz Raja Ahmad Kamarudin
2. Sepi - Mohd Nor Kassim
3. Susuk - Daven Raghaven
4. Kayangan - Raja Mukhriz
5. Anak Halal - Khalid Zakaria

Best Editor:

1. 1957 Hati Malaya - Nik Haslinda Nik Hussain / Kamarudin Abu
2. Wayang - Hafiz Kamaruzaman
3. Congkak - Ahmad Mustadha
4. KMBM - Raja Affandi Raja Jamaludin
5. Sepi - Johan Bahar

Best Original Score:

1. Wayang - Hafiz Askiak
2. KMBM - Ahmad Badaruddin
3. Susuk - Hardesh Singh
4. Anak Halal - Nurzaidi Abdul Rahman
5. 1957 Hati Malaya - Sharon Paul


Best Art Direction:

1. 1957 Hati Malaya - Aida Fitri Buyong / Kamarul Nizam Abd Rahman
2. KMBM - Nazrul Ashraff
3. Susuk - Kek Ting Lam
4. Johnny Bikin Filem - Dr. Anuar Nor Arai
5. Anak Halal - Irwanmazwan Ibrahim

Best Child Actor:

1. Erynne Erynna - Congkak
2. Amrul Hisham - Anak
3. Mohd Asrah Akis - Wayang
4. Mohd Asrah Afif - Wayang
5. Erin Malek - Congkak

Pengarah Harapan (Hopeful Director? or Director with most hope?):

1. Hans Isaac - Cuci
2. M.Subash - Pensil
3. Mohd Latif Zami - Dunia Baru The Movie
4. Syamsul Yusof - Evolusi KL Drift
5. Barney Lee - Anak

So Hati Malaya will still win the most awards with Anak Halal being its only serious competitor. However, Grand Brilliance might push all out to make sure its Sepi wins more than just a couple that night. We shall see. Rank outsiders - Wayang and KMBM.

THE SWORDFISH, THEN THE CONCUBINE

If you guys happened to give the Film Festival Malaysia a miss (like about 23 million people will be), why not take a drive (I know, I know fuel prices are sick. But hey when you have to travel you just have to) down to Singapore for the Arts Festival there.
And if you do, give my friend's play a look see. The Swordfish, Then The Concubine, written by Kee Thuan Chye, will be staged from the 6th to 10th August at the Drama Center.

The location of the Drama Centre Theatre is:
100 Victoria Street
National Library Building
Level 3 (Drama Centre Theatre)
Singapore 188064

The Swordfish, Then The Concubine is Kee's take on the old Malay fable of Singapura Di Langgar Todak. Am not quite sure which fable the concubine part comes from but from the synopsis, it might be from the legend of Mahsuri from the island of Langkawi...but I could be wrong.

Kee Thuan Chye - true blue Malaysian playwright

Nevertheless, I am sure, one can read between the lines from Kee's play. Whilst the Singaporeans may think the play has relevance to their current political society, Malaysians too can read many things into it. Trust me, you will never be treated to anything mediocre from Mr Kee.

You can also see Kee in the upcoming second season of TV2 series Bilik No 13 episode entitled Peti.
Will I be going? I'm trying to. I don't feel like attending FFM 21, so if I skip that, I may be able to check out Kee's play either on the 9th or on its final night on the 10th.

GUESS WHICH MOVIE WILL BE VOTED BEST FILM?

A little leak came trickling to my ears recently. It seems, that during the pre-judging discussion between the organisers and the jury panel for the Best Film award, someone told them that the criteria for Best Film should be a film that has strong patriotic and cultural themes. Hmmmm....imagine the statement being made to the voters of the American Oscar awards - you guys must vote a movie that has strong patriotic themes - damn, if this had happened the last three movies that won Best Film - Dreamgirls, The Departed and No Country For Old Men would never have had a chance.
Now, surprisingly in this week's Filem Festival Malaysia (Part 21), there is one film that fits the criteria to a T. Only one. 1957: Hati Malaya directed by Shuhaimi Baba.
Now, would this box office failure garner the Best Film award? I'm sure it will. The only movies that could give it a run for its money are Sepi and Anak Halal. However, both films do not comply with the 'organisers' request that the Best Film must have a patriotic theme - obvious or otherwise.
Heck, in my opinion, all these films shouldn't win the Best Film award because the best film isn't even participating....because it was shot digitally and was in Mandarin.
On the other hand, there is a movie that none of us has seen - Wayang, a college financed movie directed by Dr Hatta Azad Khan, that may be in with a shout. The script had won a past screenplay competition organised by Finas.
So, as the organisers mull over the awards - how could they not give the Best Film to Hati Malaya - a movie that revolves around our efforts to win our national independance? Don't care lah if it is lousy - it has a great patriotic theme. And it costs a bundle too. It MUST win!
Or why not give the award to Wayang - a culturally safe movie, directed by a former Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka officio from a script that has won a Finas organised script competition (so maybe the screenplay award is a foregone conclusion) and since this movie is one that is financed by a college and has yet to be screened (a win would definitely give the movie a boost at the box office).
Furthermore, I won't even imply that the Finas DG is related to someone in the production of Hati Malaya. That would be hitting under the belt. I'm sure that has not bearing at all on the results.
I mean imagine the same kind of accusation be leveled at it as when my movie Ah Lok Kafe won an award for Best Child actor. It became a controversy because the person presiding over the Jury (even though he abstained) was accused of bias (his sin was that he also acted in the same movie).
He duly resigned from the Presidency of the Association of Film Producers due to this incident.
You see, the local film industry can be very petty. The powers that be can't see forest for the trees. And for most times too, we are all living in denial. We don't believe that we are so far behind in terms of cinematic achievement and quality as compared to our neighbours.
And the hype about going global, breaking into the global market, is just hype.
So, here again we celebrate another festival, another year of dishing out awards to movies that won't even make a dent at major world festivals, and another year of mendabik dada and claim that we have arrived. Arghhhhhhh!
Anyway, here is my prediction:
Best Film: 1957 Hati Malaya
Best Director: Shuhaimi Baba
Best Screenplay: Wayang (guessing)
Best New Director: Hans Isaac
Best Actor: Someone from Sepi
Best Actress: Someone from Sepi
Best Cinematography: Congkak
Best Supporting Actress: Someone from Hati Malaya
Best Supporting Actor: Someone from Wayang (guessing here)
Best Editing: Impak Maksima
Best Art Direction: Hati Malaya
Best Child Actor: Ezrynne for Congkak
Jury Award: Hati Malaya for best patriotic theme film
Akhirat for best film to touch on a social issue (AIDS)
Duyung for best film to utilise CG and best box office performance for 2007

JAKARTA JAKARTA JAKARTA

The camera assistant takes care of the camera and no one else.

I just came back from Jakarta. A little business and lots golf. Four days three nights.

When I was there, I managed to drop by a friend's movie production set (A Malaysian invested-movie) entitled Teman Untuk Selamanya. Amongst the stars were Pierre Andre and Julia Ziegler.

Julia and Pierre posing with their Indon counterparts. This pic is taken from Julia's blog.

It is basically an Indonesian movie for the Indonesian movie market directed by an Indonesian with Malaysian funds.

Pierre on a phone call break.

Pierre and Julia are just two of the artistes in a big cast.

From what I heard, the movie is inspired by the films of P. Ramlee - and therefore a contemporary version of Bujang Lapok.

Crew packing up things. The movie has more than 100 personnel!!!

Why would a Malaysian invest in a movie in Indonesia? Why not? The censors are less stifling. The creative urge can run rampant. The market is bigger (reports said 7 million viewers caught Ayat-Ayat Cinta). The cost is not much different - around RM1.5 to RM2 million, but with a better return of investment prospect. The artistes (actors and actresses) are more numerous and more talented and more professional. The actresses? More beautiful. The crew? More professional and hardworking - for example - the crew on this production I visited had 100 over professionals working on it (excluding the cast).

Maybe, the investors and producers of Malay movies should follow the lead of this producer and just forget of financing movies here. Maybe we should form a consortium with the top distributors in Indonesia - pool in about RM50 million to produce movies that we have been dreaming of and that we can't over here.

The bottomline is that making movies is business. And if you want to make movies with less risk (meaning making movies in Malaysia) you should really think about making movies in Indonesia.

Now back to Jakarta. To most Malaysian golfers, Jakarta is like a little heaven for them - great golf courses - too many to count (including those in Bogor, Bandung, Tangerang and Bumi Serpong).

The quaint durian blue tee-box in Rancamaya Golf Club course.

I have friends who would demand to include Bogor Raya golf course in their itinerary - why? Because the caddies are supposed to be beauties. Yeah so what? Heck, nearly every Jakarta golf course have a bevy of beauties as their caddies - but who needs beauties who can't tell you the lie of the course properly and help you in your game? I would rather win my bets against my friend with a knowledgeable and professional caddie rather than a beautiful one who only knows how to carry the wrong clubs.

Damai Indah Golf Club in Bumi Serpong, for example, has both. Pretty caddies who are actually good in their profession as caddies.

Colorful caddies from Damai Indah Bumi Serpong.

They read the greens properly and offer you good advice on the club selection along the fairways, and they are not bad for the eyes too.

Caddies in their uniforms. These caddies are from Rancamaya.

But for Sunday golfers who couldn't care less, they should head to the courses in Jakarta where the caddies do not wear bras! Yup..really. The clubs only offer male caddies who don't wear bras. Hahaha.

EXCITING DAYS AHEAD....

August is gonna be one helluva month. In a few days time, RTM is gonna announce the nominees for various categories for this year's Anugerah Seri Angkasa (our local version of the Emmies). The announcement will be held at the One World hotel on Wednesday afternoon.

It is also the day my father turns 82. Yup, he was born August 6 1926. Is the date familiar? Well, many years ago, the Yanks dropped a bomb on Hiroshima. Killed thousands of innocent civilians in a blink of an eye. It expedited the end of a war that was going to end anyway.

Then on the 7th, there is a seminar that is part of the Malaysian Film Festival awards' calendar. It will be held at the National Art Gallery. The names mentioned are names I have not heard of.

The next day, another talk or seminar will be held at The Star auditorium - with a title that goes something like "Malay movies not going anywhere..." with panelists that include Adflin Shauki, Hans Isaac, Ida Nerina, Vanida Imran and David Teo - all very important people in the local film industry.

But on the same day, on Astro, you get to see the opening of the Beijing Olympics! Yes, the Olympics are back again.

Then on the 9th, the FFM 21 awards night where we are going to see Shuhaimi Baba's movie 1957: Hati Malaya being the undeserved winner of many awards.

My daughter's 17th birthday falls on the 19th and my eldest son's on the 25th. And my 25th wedding anniversary on the 28th August.

And of course the English Premiere League begins again this month - one more year of suffering for Liverpool fans once again under the so-called genius of Benitez.

All these happening with Ramadhan looming only 30 days away.