A Renaissance For Malaysian Film Industry?

By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The audience and players in the local entertainment scene often ponder whether the nation's film industry will be able to succeed at the international stage. The local film industry that has come a long way since the first Malay film 'Laila Majnun' produced some 80 years ago is now on the verge of a renaissance after a long lull in compelling productions. The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia's (Finas) Promotion and Marketing Director, Abd Khalid Maulod, highlighted that the local film industry is now seeing some impressive developments. He said not only the number of films by Malaysian producers have increased but also the recognition for them. A total of 73 local films were screened throughout 2012 compared with 49 films in 2011, 39 films (2010), and 27 films (2009). Apart from these figures, if the international recognition that they are getting is anything to go by, they have improved in their quality too. BUNOHAN THE BEST FILM As for example 'Bunohan', which was chosen as the film of the year at the 25th Malaysian Film Festival (MFF 25) this month, so far has received a number of international accolades. In 2012, the film appeared as the only Malaysian film among 71 international films listed for the 85th Academy Award under the foreign language category. Bunohan also grabbed the Golden Hanoman award at the Jogjakarta Asean Film Festival (JAFF) in Indonesia and also the NETPAC (Network to Promote Asean Cinemas) award during the Taipei Golden Horse 2011 Film Festival. Bunohan also premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Taipei Golden Horse. Bunohan was also selected by Universal Pictures to be distributed in several nations including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Bunohan was also listed at the 55th Asia Pacific Film Festival with four other productions from Malaysia - Ombak Rindu, Songlap, Nur Kasih The Movie and Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. Bunohan's lead star Faizal Hussein, won the best male actor at the MFF25. The storyline revolves around three brothers living in an isolated town in Peninsular Malaysia's northeast state of Kelantan, near the Malaysia-Thai border who become estranged. THE LEGEND OF MERONG MAHAWANGSA Prior to Bunohan the best film at the MFF 24 'Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa' which tells the story of the legendary sea-farer and warrior, a descendent of Alexander the Great, received international attention. In the movie, when the Roman legion stopped in Goa, India to mend their vessels, they sought the help of Merong Mahawangsa to take the Roman prince to Langkasuka so that he could marry a Chinese princess from the Han dynasty. This mission is riddled with danger. Merong Mahawangsa was screened in more than 40 nations and received good reviews. The same goes to 'KL Gangster' directed by Syamsul Yusof, that recorded a RM12 million (US$3.88 million)'box office' collection and was well received by Malay film buffs when it was screened during the Seri Temasek II Gala Night in Singapore in February. TAKING MALAYSIAN FILMS TO THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE Finas' Chairman, Md Afendi Hamdan, in his speech during the gala night noted that one of the major missions of Finas is to enhance the film industry's competitiveness and the national creative content. "This will set the path for the national film industry in recording sterling achievements. Through consistent creativity and innovation in content production, high quality outcomes are possible and will contribute to the local film industry's excellence," he said. The Seri Temasek Gala Night is one of the effective platform for Finas in taking Malaysian films to the international stage. "One of the things that I want to emphasise here is that in line with the 1Malaysia concept, Finas also views seriously the development of Chinese and Indian films," explained Md Afendi. THE SERI TEMASEK AWARD Md Afendi said the gala night that was being held for the second time in Singapore is due to the fact that the Malay film industry started off at the Studio Jalan Ampas in the republic. "Malaysia's legendary silver screen idols like the late P.Ramlee and Nordin Ahmad started off from the Studio Jalan Ampas. The studio is literally the birthplace of the Malaysian film industry," he said. The Seri Temasek Gala Night was first organised in 2011 in Singapore to give recognition to the people in performing arts in Malaysia and Singapore. During the recent gala night another of Malaysia's legendary actor, the late Nordin Ahmad, was awarded the 'Anugerah Lagenda Dalam Kenangan Seri Temasek'. Meanwhile, four performing artistes from Malaysia - veteran crooner Sharifah Aini, veteran actor Latifah Omar, top musician Dr Ahmad Nawab and veteran actor and the sister in law of P.Ramlee, Mariani Ismail received the Seri Temasek Excellence Award. -- BERNAMA