An indie horror film and a mixed martial arts action movie scooped 11 of 28 awards at the 31st Malaysian Film Festival
THE 31st Malaysian Film Festival (FFM31) handsomely rewarded Roh, a chilling story of a mother and her children who were haunted by a little girl at their hut in the forest.
Sangkar, the country's first mixed-martial arts (MMA) adventure and "bromance" was another winner. Between them, the two films scooped 11 of the 28 awards at the two-hour show last Friday.
Roh, a production of Kuman Pictures directed by Emir Ezwan won Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score, Best Costume Design, Best Supporting Actress (Junainah Lojong) and Best Child Actor (Putri Qaseh).
Sangkar, a co-production of Primeworks Studios, Infinitus Gold, Astro Shaw and MM2 Entertainment, bagged the Best Director (Kabir Bhatia), Best Actor (Zul Ariffin), Best Supporting Actor (Remy Ishak), Best Sound Engineering and Best Makeup awards.
NOT BLACK AND WHITE
Roh producer Amir Muhammad, who received Best Film prize of a trophy and RM500,000 from the Digital Content Fund of the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) said the film appeared straightforward, but had "deep symbolism" and reflected the realities of today.
"Roh is scary and thought-provoking. The characters are not who they seem. The plot twists point to real life where things are not black and white," he said in an interview after the awards.
Amir, a film critic and writer, added that he gave creative freedom to Emir to "weave magic" into the story, and they picked the cast based on talent.
"Our wonderful actors and actresses, headlined by husband-and-wife team Namron and Junainah, as well as Farah Ahmad, her daughter Mhia Farhana Firdaus, Harith Haziq and Putri Qaseh gave a stellar performance. This award is theirs, really."
DIFFICULT CHARACTER
Junainah, who won Most Promising Actress for Redha in FFM29 said her character Tok was one of her most difficult to date.
"She might appear like an evil witch one moment, and a fairy godmother in another. Characters like her truly drive the plot. I love them!" she said.
Putri Qaseh, 13, said Roh was her second film and would always be her favourite as it marked her first win.
"I love dramas and comedies, but it is great to star in a scary movie," she said.
FLAWS AND STRUGGLES
Kabir said Sangkar was actually Zul's idea, as he was a fan of MMA.
"Sangkar may be a story of MMA fighters, but the theme is about respect and being humble," he said.
He added that the elements which made Sangkar popular with viewers were the chemistry between first-time collaborators Zul and Remy, and the human interest stories of their characters.
"Both heroes have heart and soul. They have strengths and weaknesses, viewers can relate to their problems, flaws and struggles."
Zul said he was overjoyed to lift a major award after 13 years of hard work.
"Tonight is beyond special and I want to thank my family, fans and the brilliant team behind Sangkar. I owe it to you guys!"
Remy said: "This is my 15th year in showbiz, I believe in challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone. Thank you so much Kabir, Zul and the Sangkar team for taking me on this adventure."
BESTSELLING NOVEL
The Garden Of Evening Mists' star Angelica Li Sinje took home Best Actress award, and the film, based on Tan Twan Eng's bestselling novel, also won Best Visual Effects and Best Original Story.
Thriller Fly By Night was another big winner. Its director Zahir Omar won Most Promising Director and it also took home Best Cinematography and Best Editing awards.
SACRIFICES REWARDED
Fify Azmi, who shone as a martial arts exponent avenging family injustice in Wira, bagged Most Promising Actress award, while Akademi Fantasia 2 graduate Anding Indrawani Zaini took home Most Promising Actor award for playing an Iban warrior in the Iban language film Headhunter.
"Playing a tomboyish girl is not me, but I am glad director Adrian Teh and my dear friend Hairul Azreen believed in me," she said.
"I cried when I had to cut my long hair but then, it has rewarded me handsomely."
Wira is a production of Primeworks, Multimedia Entertainment, Act 2 Pictures, Astro Shaw and Golden Screen Cinemas.
Anding said he had to work hard to master the Iban language as his mother tongue was Melanau.
"I go to the gym a lot, and that helped me play a warrior. But sword-fighting is a new challenge and I got a nasty injury on my hand," he said.
PATRIOTISM
The animated Ejen Ali The Movie, a co-production of Primeworks and Wau Animation won the Box Office Award and Best Sound Direction award, while Walk With Me won Best Poster.
Suatu Ketika, Geran and Headhunter won Special Jury Awards for highlighting culture and heritage, patriotism and Bangsa Malaysia.
Ayuhlah, performed by Datuk Zainal Abidin and composed by Michael Veerapen for Suatu Ketika, won Best Theme Song.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to veteran actress Fauziah Nawi, while legendary composer Datuk Seri Ahmad Nawab was presented with the Special Behind The Scenes Award.
Media Prima Television Networks chief executive officer Datuk Khairul Anwar Salleh said FFM31 was a major scoop for Primeworks as it took home eight awards.
"This is one of our biggest wins, particularly in action and animation. I would like to thank everyone in Primeworks and our strategic partners for this victory."
TWO IBAN FILMS
A total of 55 films were submitted — 32 in Bahasa Malaysia, eight in Chinese, 11 in Tamil and two each in English and Iban.
FFM31, held at the Plenary Hall of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, was co-hosted by Awal Ashaari and Sharifah Shahirah.
Awards presenters included AR Badul, Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, Susan Lankester, Vanidah Imran, Erra Fazira, Faizal Hussein, Adrian Teh, Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Aziz M. Osman, Mira Filzah, Lim Mei Fen, Dr Vimala Perumal, Imuda, Saw Teong Hin, Bade Azmi, Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Datin Lisa Surihani, Raja Mukhriz and Liyana Jasmay.
Audiences were entertained with performances by Datuk M. Nasir, Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Ella, Jaclyn Victor, Haqiem Rusli, Liza Hanim, Datuk Syafinaz Selamat, Muss and Sabri Yunus.
MOVED TO TEARS
Many were moved to tears when Muss belted out Srikandi Cintaku, from the late Mamat Khalid's film Hantu Kak Limah, likewise when Liza sang Tan Sri P. Ramlee's Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti as a tribute to artistes who died over the last two years.
Nasir and Jamal proved to be as good as it gets when they performed Ghazal Untuk Rabiah, while Jaclyn shone singing Man Bai's Kau Ilhamku as a tribute to frontliners.
The best performance, however, was by "Cikgu" Syafinaz, who sang a flawless medley of songs composed by Ahmad.
Organised by Finas, FFM31 was attended by Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, deputy minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek, Finas chairman Zakaria Abdul Hamid and Finas chief executive officer Professor Dr Md Nasir.
**For full winner list, go to www.finas.gov.my/ffm31