KUALA LUMPUR: Actress, producer and director Fauziah Ahmad Daud plans to have her new, spiritually-themed film Asrar...Secebis Rahsia enter eight international film festivals.
She said that she had intended to promote the 40-minute film in such festivals from the start.
"My production team is currently inserting subtitles to the film. We don't expect it to be a winner, but we want to aim high, promoting Malaysian films on the world stage," said Fauziah in an interview with Berita Harian Online at the press preview of Asrar in Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka here yesterday.
Fauziah said that she chose to produce and direct a film that was "out of the ordinary" as she wanted to share her filmmaking ideas with young actors, actresses, producers and directors.
"It's my duty as a veteran artiste to help boost the quality of local films. By becoming a producer and director, I want to share my experiences with the cast and crew, so that they come out of their comfort zones and thrive."
Fauziah also said that she shared her experiences working with her mentors in the industry such as Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin, and told her team that she had to install cables and tracks on the set of every film.
"That is the work culture I grew up with. Sad to say it is lacking amongst many young practitioners."
Most of the cast and crew of Asrar participated in a week-long acting workshop which Fauziah conducted last December, with the support of the National Film Development Corporation (Finas).
"They have good work ethics and professionalism. I am pleased that all of them have risen up to the challenges I gave them," said Fauziah.
Asrar is the story of a young religious teacher, Har, who falls in love with Mima, a young perfume seller.
They become close friends, and Har hides his true feelings towards Mima.
One day, Har's best friend takes them on a holiday, and an unfortunate incident happens which makes Har doubt his faith in God.
Asrar can be viewed on the official website of Fauziah's company Ogy Ventures & Network, for RM20 a week.
Its theme song Duniaku composed by Datuk Johari Salleh is performed by Zainal Alam Kadir, and its music video can be viewed on YouTube.
The film is based on the short story Terima Kasih, Tuhanku written by Baharuddin Kahar and published by Dewan Bahasa. Its script is written by Roslen Fadzil.