Archive for the ‘Eizlan Yusof’ Category
Pick Of The Lot
Films with strong social messages like Anak Halal starring Fasha Sandha (left) and Farid Kamil, stand a good chance of winning the best picture award.
It’s going to be a tough fight for the Malaysian Film Festival awards as some of the best names in the film industry are being pitched as winners, writes SHARIFAH ARFAH
Best director nominee Mamat Khalid (left) directs best actor nominee Rosyam Nor in Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang which secured eleven nominations.
Erra (right) and Ida Nerina in a scene from horror film Anak. Erra’s strong performance secured her a best actress nomination.
THE 21st instalment of the Malaysian Film Festival (FFM21) comes closer to its conclusion with Monday’s announcement of the top five in each of the 22 categories (except for Best Film and Best Original Theme Song, which will both be revealed on the awards night).
The festival will be held from tomorrow to Saturday (awards night).
Though the organisers have decided to save the best (Best Film category) for last, this category is the one most closely watched and most speculated on by local movie pundits and fans alike.
This year, 23 feature films have been nominated for Best Film.
Of this, three films - Anak Halal, Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang and Wayang - secured more nominations than any other feature film.
Previously, Osman Ali received critical acclaim for Bukak Api, a film about sex workers in Chow Kit.
Though his first feature film, Puaka Tebing Biru, was panned by critics, Osman stands a good chance of proving his critics wrong about his ability to make it in the commercial movie industry with Anak Halal, getting the most number of nominations at 12, including for Best Director.
Mamat Khalid scores with Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang, a neo-noir parody that tickles the audience.
It has the edge over others in that it’s a groundbreaking genre in local filmmaking.
The black-and-white film is said to be technically demanding, while the strong script boast an entertaining story about mysterious disappearances, conspiracies and ghostly presence.
Dr Hatta Azad Khan’s last film was Mat Som, a story on the life of a struggling reporter based on a comic book by Datuk Lat.
Dr Hatta, after a hiatus from the film industry, has come up with a gem called Wayang. It chronicles the life of a tok dalang (puppet master, played by Eman Manan) who takes a blind boy and a speech-impaired girl under his wing, imparting to them his shadow puppetry skills in the process.
Note the absence of Susuk co-director Naeim Ghalili who co-directed the film with Amir Muhammad and Sepi director Kabir Bhatia as nominees.
It is understood that the festival celebrates local films and film crew. But the presence of foreigners who help enliven our industry may become a more frequent trend in the future.
Sepi marks Kabir’s second foray into the festival (his first directorial effort, Cinta, won Best Film in last year’s festival).
In terms of genre, films that are multiple-nominated have interesting storylines that comment on social norms, for instance, drug addiction (Anak Halal), and the erosion of tradition (Wayang).
Meanwhile, Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang and Dunia Baru the Movie prove that lighthearted flicks don’t necessarily need to rely on one-liners or slapstick-style comedies.
Another interesting field to watch out for is the best actor category, where heavyweights - Eman Manan, Adlin Aman Ramlie and Rosyam Nor - have equal chance of clinching the Best Actor category.
Adlin is also nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category (for his role in 1957: Hati Malaya), where he is taking on Zul Huzaimy, who brilliantly portrayed Eman’s blind apprentice in Wayang.
As for Best Actress category, Erra Fazira’s portrayal of a conflicted and emotionally-battered woman is award-winning material, at least in my opinion.
She played her role with raw conviction, and probably the best in her career so far.
The race is on!
Here are some of the nominees for the 21st Malaysian Film Festival:
Best Director
Hatta Azad Khan
- Wayang
Shuhaimi Baba
- 1957 Hati Malaya
Ahmad Idham
- Congkak
Mamat Khalid
- Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
Osman Ali
- Anak Halal
Best Actor
Afdlin Shauki
- Sepi
Adlin Aman Ramlie
- Susuk
Rosyam Nor
- Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
Eman Manan
- Wayang
Farid Kamil
- Anak Halal
Best Actress
Maya Karin
- Anak Halal
Erra Fazira
- Anak
Nur Fazura
- Kayangan
Nasha Aziz
- Otai
Vanidah Imran
- Akhirat
Best Supporting Actor
Zul Huzaimy
- Wayang
Farid Kamil
- Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
Adlin Aman Ramlie
- 1957 Hati Malaya
Eizlan Yusof
- Impak Maksima
Fauzi Nawawi
- Anak Halal
Best Supporting Actress
Nabila Huda
- Akhirat
Nanu Baharuddin
- 1957 Hati Malaya
Azizah Mahzan
- Anak
Ruminah Sidek
- Pensil
Dynaz Mokhtar
- Kayangan
Best Original Story
Wayang
- Hatta Azad Khan
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
- Mamat Khalid
Sepi
- ara and Mira Mustaffa
Anak Halal
- Osman Ali
Pensil - M. Subash
Best Screenplay
Wayang
- Hatta Azad Khan
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
- Mamat Khalid
Sepi
- ara and Mira Mustaffa
Anak Halal
- Osman Ali
Cuci - Hans Isaac
Best Cinematography
Evolusi KL Drift
- Raja Mukriz Raja Ahmad Kamarudin
Sepi
- Mohd Nor Kassim
Susuk
- Daven Raghaven
Kayangan
- Raja Mukriz
Anak Halal
- Khalid Zakaria
Best Editing
1957 Hati Malaya
- Nik Haslinda Nik Husain & Kamaruddin Abu
Wayang
- Hafiz Kamaruzaman
Congkak
- Ahmad Mustadha
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
- Raja Affandi Raja Jamaludin
Sepi
- Johan Bahar
Best Art Direction
1957 Hati Malaya
- Aida Fitri Buyong/Kamarul Nizam Abd Rahman
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
- Nazrul Ashraff
Susuk
- Kek Ting Lam
Johnny Bikin Filem
- Dr Anuar Nor Arai
Anak Halal
- Irwanmazwan Ibrahim
Best Sound
Congkak
- Brian Ng
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
- Azman Abu Hassan
Susuk
- ADD Audio
Evolusi KL Drift
- Daud Sulaiman
Anak Halal
- Azman Abu Hassan
Best Original Music Score
Wayang
- Hafiz Askiak
Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
- Ahmad Badaruddin
Susuk
- Hardesh Singh
Anak Halal
- Nurzaidi Abdul Rahman
1957 Hati Malaya
- Sharon Paul
Most Promising Director
Hans Isaac
- Cuci
M. Subash
- Pensil
Mohd Latif Zami
- Dunia Baru the Movie
Syamsul Yusof
- Evolusi KL Drift
Barney Lee
- Anak
Most Promising Actor
M. Subash
- Pensil
Mohd Kamarulzaman Taib
- 1957 Hati Malaya
Wan Kenari Ibrahim
- Wayang
Zaefrul Nadzarine Nordin
- 1957 Hati Malaya
Syamsul Yusof
- Evolusi KL Drift
Most Promising Actress
Julia Ziegler
- Kayangan
Lisa Surihani
- I’m Not Single
Mas Muharni
- Wayang
Avaa Vanja
- Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang
Diana Rafar
- Susuk
New Straits Times
Endearing Flame Of Love
Model-turned-actor Eizlan Yusof gives the lowdown on his role in the drama Dari KL Ke Queenstown. SHUIB TAIB writes.
ALTHOUGH model-turned-actor Eizlan Yusof has played various roles in 13 different films and hundreds of made-for-TV dramas, he is not prepared to make his directorial debut yet.
Winner of the Most Promising Actor award at the 14th Malaysian Film Festival for his role in Perempuan Melayu Terakhir in 1999 and Best Supporting Actor at TV3’s Skrin award (Panas, 1997/98), the 37-year-old actor who has just had a baby girl is happy with his life now.
“I have been offered to direct a few times but I think directing is not my call. I still love to act and although I’m not young anymore, getting a supporting role in a movie or TV drama is good enough for me,” said the actor, who also runs a trading business with his partner.
Despite his busy schedule (he travels to Jakarta regularly as his business is based there), Eizlan still finds time to act. He can be seen on ntv7’s Dari KL Ke Queenstown every Friday at 8.30pm.
Directed by Haris Fadzillah and produced by noted actor/producer Ahmad Idham Omar, the series also features Intan Ladyana, Tengku Puteri Najuwa and veterans such as Datuk Ahmad Tamimi Siregar, Aznah Hamid, Dian P. Ramlee and Khatija Tan. Upcoming talent Almy Nadia adds to the strength of this touching drama.
The story revolves around Saiful Bahrin (Eizlan), the only child of single mother Hasnah. Saiful studies in Queenstown, New Zealand. Away from home, he gets to know other Malaysian students such as Lily John (Tengku Puteri Najuwa), Sofia (Intan Ladyana) and Mimi (Efa Nareesha).
Surrounded by fellow Malaysian students whose wild lifestyles differ from his quiet existence, Saiful is nevertheless determined to get to know more about those different from him. He grows close to Lily John whose cheerful and caring attitude endears her to him.
As fate would have it, a chance encounter with Sofia, the socialite, eventually leads to a lifelong romance although at their first meeting, Saiful is taken aback by her arrogance and westernised ways.
Saiful’s and Sofia’s relationship is ultimately doomed as the latter’s family decide to pair her with Jefri, who is from an equally wealthy family as hers. However fate brings the two together again 20 years later. But will their love be strong enough to withstand the changes in their lives?
“This story is actually based on a true story about an old friend of mine. He is handsome, successful and eligible. After that first love, he has remained single to this day,” explained Eizlan, adding that his friend, a well-known corporate figure, is in his 50s.
Eizlan adds that Dari KL Ke Queenstown (DKKQ) has similarities with P. Ramlee’s Antara Dua Darjat except that DKKQ is a bit more modern and urban in its landscape.
Shooting for the drama, which runs for 13 episodes, was done in Christchurch, Queenstown and Akaroa, New Zealand.
“The story features two different eras, the ’80s and the present. I’m sure the audience can relate to this drama about “forbidden” love. Hopefully, they can also see that being rich or poor doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have love,” said Eizlan, who also does script-writing, where his works have been nominated at Anugerah Sri Angkasa several times.
For more details, log on to www.ntv7.com.my. For re-runs, check out CatchUp TV online.
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Weekend Watch: Gangs From The Region
Dynamic trio (from left) Faizal Tahir, Fara Fauzana and Kartini Kamalul Ariffin are the hosts of Gang Starz.
THE second season of reality show Gang Starz starts on Sunday with snippets of the gang’s activities in Aksi Gang Starz (TV3, 5pm). The concert will be held on the same night (TV3, 9pm).
Featuring groups from Thailand and the Philippines, the concert will be hosted by Faizal Tahir and Fara Fauzana.
English singer-songwriter Leona Lewis, whose single Bleeding Love made waves in the international charts late last year, is the featured artiste in 8TV’s Music on 8 (Saturday, 11.30am).
Those who didn’t catch Konsert Setiakawan 2, held earlier this month, can catch the repeat telecast on Sunday (RTM1, 3.30pm).
Besides performances by local artistes such as Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Adibah Noor, Misha Omar and Elyana, stars from neighbouring Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei are also performing, such as Ahli Fiqir, Ferhad and Yuni Shara.
Also, the third semi-final of reality band-search show Rentak Juara will air “live” from Angkasapuri on Sunday (RTM1, 9pm), where five more bands will perform.
Sports fans can catch the delayed telecast of the Formula One Championship from Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday (RTM1, 11.30pm).
TOMORROW
Bollygood Time On 2 (RTM2, 12.30pm) - Cheeni Kum
A wealthy but grouchy old restaurant owner becomes agitated when a young woman complains about the pilau that is being served at his outlet. Later, he realises that she was right and apologises. The two soon fall in love. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, Paresh Rawal and Zohra Sehgal.
Saturday Nite Special On 2 (RTM2, 9pm) - The One
A former MVA agent who killed another version of himself in self-defence finds that it only makes the other versions of him stronger. Starring Jet Li and Carla Gugino.
TV3 Cinema (TV3, 12.30am) - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
A man, heartbroken on finding out that his girlfriend underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory, decides to do the same. Starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet and Elijah Wood.
Hong Retro (ntv7, 3pm) - Blue Skies
A young hopeful replaces a popular diva when the latter refuses to sing at a concert. She becomes an overnight sensation but the pitfalls of stardom soon beckon. Starring Peter Chen Ho and Cheng Pei-pei.
SUNDAY
Sunday Day Time Special (RTM2, 3pm) - Faith Of My Farthers: The J.M Story
A movie adaptation of John McCain’s best-selling autobiography, the film chronicles his experience as a Navy pilot as well as his five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. Starring Thomas Madell.
Golden Premier (RTM2, 10pm) - The Adventures
A young boy is a witness to his parents’ murder. When he grows up, he adopts a different name and kidnaps the daughter of the perpetrator. Starring Andy Lau and Rosamund Kwan.
Festival (ntv7, 10.45pm) - Penunggu
An executive producer and her team go through some eerie moments while filming a horror film. The personality clashes among the crew make matters worse. Starring Ida Nerina and Eizlan Yusof.
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