(From left) Murali, Gayathri, Mamat, Yasmin and Ziela with their trophies.
DENNIS CHUA writes on the recent Anugerah Skrin 2008 awards and tells us why the black-and-white Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang has garnered major awards yet again.
Que and Zamarul (right) emerged as the winning TV heroes.
MALAYSIA’S first film noir, Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang, which emerged tops at the Malaysian Film Festival (MFF) earlier in the year, also scored at the Anugerah Skrin 2008 (ASK), bagging the awards for Best Film, Best Film Director (Mamat Khalid) and Best Film Actor (Rosyam Nor) categories.
Actress Fauziah “Ogy” Ahmad Daud’s comeback vehicle, Suara Saleha, dominated the television drama categories, winning Best Drama, Best Drama Actress (Ogy) and Best Drama Director (Murali Abdullah).
Sepi, scriptwriter Mira Mustaffa’s poignant tale of love and lost souls, had failed to win at the MFF but bagged the ASK awards for Best Film Actress (Baizura Kahar), Best (Film) Supporting Actress (Nasha Aziz) and Best Screenplay (Mira).
Zamarul Hisham and Que Haidar proved to be leading men of the small screen with Zamarul winning Best Drama Actor for Ihsan and Que, the Best Drama Supporting Actor award for Tuhan Pun Tahu.
Tuhan Pun Tahu also earned veteran actress Normah Damanhuri the Best Drama Supporting Actress prize, while Zaefrul Nordin won Best (Film) Supporting Actor for his convincing portrayal of independence hero Datuk Onn Jaafar in the historical 1957 – Hati Malaya.
ASK also honoured popular director Yasmin Ahmad of hit movies Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin and Muallaf with a Special Jury Award for her contributions to the local film industry.
Rosyam, who has been Malaysian cinema’s leading man for almost a decade and a regular on TV movies, said he ‘instantly fell in love’ with Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang.
“It’s a film like no other. It’s part-crime thriller, part-comedy, fantasy and history rolled into one; it is a cinematic adventure that challenges established boundaries.
“What is also very appealing about it is that it’s in black-and-white and the fact that it also pays tribute to the great films of yesteryear, especially Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s films,” he said.
Rosyam said Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang is a masterpiece and an example of “thinking out of the box”.
Mamat, who will soon collaborate with directors Aziz M. Osman and Afdlin Shauki in the three-in-one film Tiga Jalan, said the success of his film showed that Malaysians were willing to give radically different films a chance.
“If this is a sign of things to come, I’m confident Malaysian movies will stand tall,” he said.
“Besides films, I would love to create a successful play. I’ve been busy with the script for a play titled Kelabu Malam and if all goes well, I hope to have it performed at Istana Budaya.”
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang producer Gayathri Su-Lin Pillai said the film would be screened at the Rotterdam Film Festival in Holland next year.
“We’ve just had it shown at the Udine Film Festival in Italy. Its strength, to both local and foreign viewers, is in its unorthodox storyline and its noir concept,” she said.
Suara Saleha producer Ziela Jalil said the drama marked her company Pena Creative’s second win in the annual awards after Lebih Bisa Dari Jelatang (2007).
“The drama marks a brilliant comeback for Ogy. Her convincing portrayal of a long-suffering mother whose family falls apart after her husband’s death was simply great,” she said.
Murali, who directed Malaysian Film Festival 2001 award-winning drama Najwa, said Suara Saleha’s “family first” message appealed to all Malaysians, irrespective of cultural boundaries.
Zamarul said he is always grateful to his mother Zaleha Rahman, veteran actor Jalaluddin Hassan and Rosyam for guiding and encouraging him to excel in acting.
“They always had faith in me and believed I could excel as an actor. This is why I dedicate my win to them,” he said.
Zamarul, who has been acting for 13 years, said his dream role was to star as a long-suffering deaf man who beats the odds to excel in life.
Yasmin said she wished to share her award with all the talented young actors who appeared in her movies.
“I always feel honoured to work with young and determined actors. My coming movie Talentime is full of them.
“What inspires me to make good movies are the common values and dreams that unite us as Malaysians regardless of colour. Movies play an important role in creating awareness of the many challenges facing society and how they can be overcome,” she said.
The awards held at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur last Friday was themed “Diamonds”, and kicked off with a sparkling duet, Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend, by Noryn Aziz and Nikki Palikat.
First-time co-hosts Adlin Aman Ramlie of Jangan Tidur Lagi and Susuk, and Nurul Syuhada Nurul Ain Mohd Zin of Majalah 3 subsequently appeared, dressed in red.
While the duo initially looked uncomfortable, Adlin and Nurul Syuhada gradually “warmed up” and there was some light banter.
Among the guest presenters were Kanchana Devi, Que, Saiful Apek, Fazura, Belinda Chee, Remy Ishak, Maya Karin, Fouziah Ghous, Iqram Dinzly, Zul Huzaimy, Aznil Nawawi, Erra Fazira, Afdlin, Sofea Jane, Jalaluddin, Daphne Iking and astronaut Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha.
Pop queen Datuk Siti Nurhaliza performed her hit song Wanita, while “Superman rocker” Faizal Tahir belted out his new hit Coba.
Malaysian Icon Jaclyn Victor sang Kris Dayanti’s Pilihlah Aku while actors Adi Putra, Ery Putra, Faradhiya and Emelda Rosmila showed they could take on the sassy 1970s hit duet Seiring Dan Sejalan.
The crowning musical moment came when Anuar Zain’s romantic ballad Ketulusan Hati was given a brilliant reinterpretation by Malaysia’s Adibah Noor, with decent help from Lah Ahmad of VE.
THE WINNERS
Best Television Drama: Suara Saleha (Pena Creative Sdn Bhd);
Best Actor (Drama): Zamarul Hisham (Ihsan);
Best Actress (Drama): Fauziah Ahmad Daud (Suara Saleha);
Best Supporting Actor (Drama): Que Haider (Tuhan Pun Tahu);
Best Supporting Actress (Drama): Normah Damanhuri (Tuhan Pun Tahu);
Best Director (Drama): Murali Abdullah (Suara Saleha);
Best Television Screenplay: Anuar Idris (Wasiat Fitrah);
Best Serial Drama: Bicara Aur Dengan Tebing (Tenview (M) Sdn Bhd);
Best Comedy Drama: Mr Mama (Radius One Sdn Bhd);
Best Film: Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang (Tayangan Unggul Sdn Bhd);
Best Actor (Film): Rosyam Nor (Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang);
Best Actress (Film): Baizura Kahar (Sepi);
Best Supporting Actor (Film): Zaefrul Nordin (1957 – Hati Malaya);
Best Supporting Actress (Film): Nasha Aziz (Sepi);
Best Director (Film): Mamat Khalid (Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang);
Best Screenplay (Film): Sepi (Ara & Mira Mustafa);
Best Documentary/Magazine Show: Majalah 3 – Sudirman Tribute;
Best Talkshow: Macam-Macam Aznil;
Best Music Programme: Anugerah Juara Lagu 2008;
Best Entertainment Programme: Project Superstar 2;
Best Reality Show: So You Think You Can Dance 2;
Best Special Report: Buletin Utama – Orang Asli In Danger;
Shine Pantene Award (for best hair): Wan Sharmila.
New Straits Times