Enter The Golden Age
I watched "The 3rd Generation" last night, a made-in-Malaysia Cantonese movie.
It starred some promising young new stars - Nicholas Teo, Amber Chia (in her debut role) and the magnetic Carmen Soo.
Truth be told, it was a good attempt by director, CL Hor. If camerawork was the only measure of a film, "The 3rd Generation" would have been a great movie. And it had a pretty solid storyline too, although the storytelling could have been done more fluidly and with more dialogue, as opposed to expressive physical posturing.
To me, "The 3rd Generation" fleshed out what it's like to be a part of a tradition-bound Chinese family, with its inherent values.
The importance of discipline and hard work, the preservation of tradition and culture, the respect for elders and formal family structures, the maintenance of a spiritual base despite any emotional conflicts or transgressions, the measurement of merit by material achievement, the emphasis on getting the best education - all these values that are entrenched, in a traditional Chinese family.
And the loss of such stoic and strong values - leads to the common belief that wealth in a family, cannot be retained beyond 3 generations. The message comes across clearly - times may change, each generation is different - but the formula for success is rooted in these long-cherished values.
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However, there were parts of the movie, which could be improved on. The deliberate selection of the "French" style of movie-making, (which is usually slow and symbolic) made the story a little dragging for the average Malaysian.
The sing-song way which Nicholas Teo's character (the Younger Chan) and Carmen Soo's character (Linda) expressed their feelings for each other, was grating on my nerves. And one wonders why Linda's character had so few clothes, within a few years. (Although I must say, Carmen Soo's figure looks good in anything)
The (attempted) erotic tango scene would have done better if Linda was dressed in an evening dress, as opposed to the top-half of the pyjamas, she had on. Amber Chia did okay for her debut, I felt, alhtough she was given very limited script to explore the range of what she could do.
Uncle Chan's character was the most well-performed of the lot. I can't remember the actor's name, but he's good.
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Personally, I'm optimistic about the Malaysian movie scene. Film-makers in Malaysia are beginning to experiment with different styles of making films and it's refreshing.
And the talent pool, is encouraging too. If I look at the new generation of capable Malaysian young actors and actresses - Nicholas Teo, Sharifah Amani and her big sister, Sharifah Aleya, Sazzy Falak, Nor Fazura, Carmen Soo, Amber Chia, Chelsia Ng, etc. - there's hope that there will be many more Malaysian films (like Sepet) which reflect Malaysian realities, in the future.
If P. Ramlee's movies could reflect a more Malaysian identity, why can't we do it now? How are we to get Malaysians to watch their own local movies, if their movies belie their own existence?
Books, music and films are a nation's way of reflecting on itself. Our books, music and films need to mature together, for our people to grow together. It's a part of our shared heritage and a culture that we create and engender - the things that define us closer together - as opposed to drawing us apart.
And looking at the some of the directors that are beginning to push the borders on our film-making creativity and raise the quality bar of Malaysian films - Afdlin Shauki, Yasmin Ahmad and CL Hor - I'm quite optimistic.
The Golden Age of Malaysian movies is just about to begin. :)
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On a last note, I'd like to make a prediction: Carmen Soo will one day, be a big Asian film star. She's got a remarkable screen presence and she's got a long way to go, to mature as an actress.
But once she does, she'll be our next Michelle Yeoh. Bet on it. And remember that you read it here, first. :)
It starred some promising young new stars - Nicholas Teo, Amber Chia (in her debut role) and the magnetic Carmen Soo.
Truth be told, it was a good attempt by director, CL Hor. If camerawork was the only measure of a film, "The 3rd Generation" would have been a great movie. And it had a pretty solid storyline too, although the storytelling could have been done more fluidly and with more dialogue, as opposed to expressive physical posturing.
To me, "The 3rd Generation" fleshed out what it's like to be a part of a tradition-bound Chinese family, with its inherent values.
The importance of discipline and hard work, the preservation of tradition and culture, the respect for elders and formal family structures, the maintenance of a spiritual base despite any emotional conflicts or transgressions, the measurement of merit by material achievement, the emphasis on getting the best education - all these values that are entrenched, in a traditional Chinese family.
And the loss of such stoic and strong values - leads to the common belief that wealth in a family, cannot be retained beyond 3 generations. The message comes across clearly - times may change, each generation is different - but the formula for success is rooted in these long-cherished values.
**************************************************************************
However, there were parts of the movie, which could be improved on. The deliberate selection of the "French" style of movie-making, (which is usually slow and symbolic) made the story a little dragging for the average Malaysian.
The sing-song way which Nicholas Teo's character (the Younger Chan) and Carmen Soo's character (Linda) expressed their feelings for each other, was grating on my nerves. And one wonders why Linda's character had so few clothes, within a few years. (Although I must say, Carmen Soo's figure looks good in anything)
The (attempted) erotic tango scene would have done better if Linda was dressed in an evening dress, as opposed to the top-half of the pyjamas, she had on. Amber Chia did okay for her debut, I felt, alhtough she was given very limited script to explore the range of what she could do.
Uncle Chan's character was the most well-performed of the lot. I can't remember the actor's name, but he's good.
******************************************************************************
Personally, I'm optimistic about the Malaysian movie scene. Film-makers in Malaysia are beginning to experiment with different styles of making films and it's refreshing.
And the talent pool, is encouraging too. If I look at the new generation of capable Malaysian young actors and actresses - Nicholas Teo, Sharifah Amani and her big sister, Sharifah Aleya, Sazzy Falak, Nor Fazura, Carmen Soo, Amber Chia, Chelsia Ng, etc. - there's hope that there will be many more Malaysian films (like Sepet) which reflect Malaysian realities, in the future.
If P. Ramlee's movies could reflect a more Malaysian identity, why can't we do it now? How are we to get Malaysians to watch their own local movies, if their movies belie their own existence?
Books, music and films are a nation's way of reflecting on itself. Our books, music and films need to mature together, for our people to grow together. It's a part of our shared heritage and a culture that we create and engender - the things that define us closer together - as opposed to drawing us apart.
And looking at the some of the directors that are beginning to push the borders on our film-making creativity and raise the quality bar of Malaysian films - Afdlin Shauki, Yasmin Ahmad and CL Hor - I'm quite optimistic.
The Golden Age of Malaysian movies is just about to begin. :)
****************************************************************************
On a last note, I'd like to make a prediction: Carmen Soo will one day, be a big Asian film star. She's got a remarkable screen presence and she's got a long way to go, to mature as an actress.
But once she does, she'll be our next Michelle Yeoh. Bet on it. And remember that you read it here, first. :)
posted by Stingrayz | 10:33 PM
9 Comments:
Whether we like it or not, the Malaysian public is horizontally and vertically divided and will be so for a long time yet. Aesthetics is highly subjective (think vertical and horizontal). One man’s meat is another man’s poison… pardon the intentional pun… Even in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, we had had productions of outstanding quality ( Jins Shamsudin, Rahim Razali, U Wei ) but the mass will choose what they will. So I don’t know about ‘Golden Age’ would it be anything like Golden Citizen?
While ur at it, go look at ur crystal ball and see if i'm getting my lipo sucked this year. Appreciate it!
One aspect in which Sepet does not reflect Malaysian realities, I feel, is the maid character. Local maid, caring, has common sense and dependable? We should be so lucky :(
Anon 2
@ anon...
uhhh fraid I have to disagree. I know of two such families who have 'caring, has common sense and dependable' local maids, though they can hardly be called that anymore when they run the households with their iron fists...
Hmmph! you and your predictions!:-).
Noni (with the umpteenth new identity):
Yes, I do acknowledge the work of Jins Shamsuddin, Rahim Razali, U-Wei Ashaari, etc. but the main thrust of their movies revolved more around the Malay community, than the whole Malaysian community.
We should make good quality movies that have a more multi-racial cast, if we want to see more Malaysians watching Malaysian movies.
That's more of what I meant by Golden Age - our films are beginning to identify our commonalities, despite our various differences.
You want your lipo sucked - just go stomp your feet at the hubby lah. Sure dapatnya. :)
Anon 2:
Actually, I've met quite a few maids like that in my lifetime. Adaaaaa,...
Noniasr:
Maids ruling with iron fist? Gila scary,....
Xena:
I predict that you will once again burn your hair at the stove, while trying to light your cigarette. ;)
Wanna take a bet on that? Hehe.
Golden Egg : If so, then 'Sepet' would be the only recent one that I know of that fits that mould, hardly a dawning of the Age of Aquarius don't u think? But even so, do we know how many non-Malays have watched 'Sepet'?
3rd Generation : I have not watched ur '3rd generation' but from what I understand of ur synopsis it sounds like a very Chinese movie to me. Unless of course there are non-Chinese cast that U have not mentioned. At any rate, gonna be bugging the laki to go and find the movie this weekend, will give u a review.
lipid sucks : the stamping of the feet tak jalan, dah berlobang dah the bedroom floor, masih tak jalan... gotta come up with something new... fast... school reunion in 6 months' time...
multiplesonalities : so can u can imagine how hard it was for me to name my children...
Sting: On Xena, how can u bet on a sure thing? No thrill la like that.. heheh...
oho!! some people ganging up on me!! Ray, for that remark no nissan! and najah ... you better be careful, nanti Idris ikut perangai I, then you'll know...
Bipolar Bear Noni (addressing all your multiple personalities,...ahem):
Sepet is not the only one. "Baik Punya Cilok" is another - Patrick Teoh and the luscious Carmen Soo, starred in that one.
And "Buli" too. (Patrick Teoh starred in that one). And the other one is "Salon", where Chelsia Ng did wonders with her supporting role.
And a long time ago, so did one of the "Senario" movies (which included a hilarious scene with an Indian fellow on a motorbike)
Yes, 3rd Generation is a story about a Chinese family in Malaysia. So, most of the main cast and lead actors, are Malaysian Chinese.
But there are many parts which introduces some other distinctly Malaysian elements into it - the azan (in the way Malaysians would azan) as 2 friends hug, the multi-lingual dialogue, the batik materials, etc.
As for your lipo and school reunion, ...alah, don't worry-lah, I'm sure the others need the lipo, more than you do. ;)
Pseudonymous:
Oit, get in line on the drool train! ;)
Najah:
Nowadays, after the Program, I only make bets on things which I cannot lose. ;)
Xena:
Oi, do not wish ill upon the expecting mother and her child!. :)
As for the Nissan, satu lagi "rasuah" satay Haji Samuri coming up! ;)
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