Thursday 8 September 2004
Cathay takes great pleasure in presenting the first Malaysian Film Festival in Singapore with the aim of promoting the film culture of Malaysia through showcasing cutting edge Malaysian films to the Singapore audience and to continually entertain Singapore audiences with different offerings in terms of films as a leader in the movie entertainment industry.
The festival features films that encompass an appealing potpourri of themes…from forbidden love, of sexual repression, of emotional awakening, of conflict, of intrigue and of sexual controversy.
Ready to set the Cathay screens ablaze is Sepet, written and directed by Yasmin Ahmad and stars Ng Choo Seong and Sharifah Amani. Sensitively crafted with tinges of subtle humour, the film depicts the trials and tribulations of two young people in love and who are from totally opposing family and social backgrounds.
In English, Malay and Chinese dialects, this film has been short-listed for the Best ASEAN Feature Film Award at the Malaysian Video Awards 2004.
In 2003, Yasmin Ahmad’s directional debut for Rabun won the film Best ASEAN Feature Film award at the Malaysian Video Awards 2003 and has done the international festival rounds including the Cinemaya Festival of Asian Cinema (India), the Torino Film Festival (Italy) and the Singapore International Film Festival.
Other films to watch out for include :-
The Beautiful Washing Machine (Rated M18)
Directed by James Lee, this Mandarin film with black humour explores sexual repression and the death of communication amongst the Chinese Malaysians. Cast includes Loh Bok Lai, Patricia Teoh, Amy Len and Berg Lee.
Paloh (Rated PG)
Paloh tells the story of a small town under siege, threatened with destruction from the invading Japanese forces and where allegiance, morals and social values are confronted. In English and Malay, this is directed by Adman Salleh and cast Namron, M Amin, Soh Boon Tat and Janet Khoo.
Spinning Gasing
A modern Malaysian girl embarks on a journey away from the urban jungle of Kuala Lumpur to the tropical beaches of the East Coast and her consequential emotional awakening. This film directed by Teck Tan, in English, Cantonese and Malay, received international recognition in the VC Filmfest 2001 USA, LA Asia Pacific Fim Festival USA, Fukuoka Asian Film Festival Japan and the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Bukak Api
Directed by Osman Ali, this controversial Malay film takes a daring look at the real life, love and pains of being a transverstite in Kuala Lumpur. Filmed entirely in the red light district of Chow Kit, the film received rave reviews and is fast becoming a cult film shown to packed audiences at exhibitions and festivals in Malaysia and around the world. Cast includes Manja, Mislina, Shareena, Andy Danisha, Anna and Sophia.
In addition to full length films, Cathay’s first Malaysian Film Festival will also showcase a series of new Malaysian short films and encompasses genres such as animation, horror, experimental, docu-drama and black comedy.
Short Film Compilations by various directors
2004 New Malaysian Shorts 1 :-
Storybook Adventures (Animated)
A Likely Tale - Sleeping Beauty Revisited (Animated)
Corporate Raiders (Yuppie Comedy)
Newspaper (Drama)
A Teacher’s Diary (Docu Drama)
Free (Experimental )
Danish in the Sky (Experimental)
Once in a Wild (Drama set in Australia)
2004 New Malaysian Shorts 2 :-
Wanita Cosmos (Animated)
White Powder (Animated)
Fall (Animated)
Kairo (Horror)
Keluarga Saya (Black Comedy)
Wind Chimes (Experimental)
A day in a Beggar’s Life (Docu-drama)
Wait (Drama set in Tokyo)
Inside Out (award winning UK-set)
Highlight : 22 September, 3.30pm special screening of Sepet followed by dialogue session with director & cast.
Bookings : From 11 September on the Cathay website www.cathay.com.sg and at Cathay Cineplex Orchard Cineleisure.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT :-
CATHAY ORGANISATION HOLDINGS LTD
Jennifer Wee-Almodiel
Corporate Relations Manager
Tel : 6337 8181
DID : 6736 7279
jennifer_wee@cathay.com.sg
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