Kaki Bakar and Jogho

Synopsis Kaki Bakar

Kakang is a former soldier that have a lot of contribution towards his own country. He is very proud of becoming a former soldier and Javanese. He is the power holder in his family. Everyone in the family include his wife, daughters and sons need to listen and follow his instruction in doing anything and no one dare to oppose his instruction. Kakang teaches his younger son Kusama traditional values and beliefs. He and family move to another village due to he have dispute with the current villagers. Kakang went to look for Tuan Kassim the owner of rubber estate once he arrived new village. However, he accidentally dirtied Tuan Kassim's wife favorite carpet. Tuan Kassim ordered him to clean up the carpet but Kakang have spoil the carpet after washing it. The cost of carpet RM400 will be deduct from Kakang's wages. Kakang bring this issue to Tok Empat in the village, but he lose in the conference. Kakang want to revenge by incendiaries Tuan Kassim smoke house. Although Kusama try to stop him from doing it, but Kakang insist to do so. Kusama went to inform Tuan Kassim and Tuan Kassim killied him by using gun. At last , Kusama regret with his act but it was too late.

Synopsis Jogho

Mamat and family stay at South Thailand as their origin from Kelantan. He joined his brother- Lazim there and living as a bull trainer to earn living from bullfighting. Lazim was killed by Isa in one of the bullfight. Lazim's sons Sari and Salim want to revenge for their father dead. Mamat and his daughter Faijah went to Kelantan and visited his son - Jusuh. Besides, he also look for his friend - Jaafar helps to find out the killer. Mamat go to town to discuss about his bull- Aral fighting. Sani, Sarim and Jali also go the town after they found out Mamat is in town. They accidentally met Jali's friend - Usin and found out the place Isa's son Hamdan and assistant Dollah hided. They killed them and went to hide up and Thai police arrested Mamat. Mamat request his wife Minah to bail him from jail to attend the bullfight. After struggled, Minah decided to bail Mamat out from jail. Mamat bring Aral to attend the bullfight once he been bailed from jail. When Isa saw Mamat appear at the bullfight arena , Isa shot Mamat shoulder. Mamat take over the gun but he refuse to shot Isa to avoid Malays fight with Malays. However, Sari take over the gun and shot Isa. When the police arrived, Mamat surrender and take the responsibility of killing Isa.

Film Journal

I like the tracking and dolly shots in both of the film directed by U-Wei. Tracking and dolly shots appeared frequently in U-Wei's film. This can be consider as the authorship by signature of U-Wei. The tracking shots can shows the continuity of the scene. It will be easy for the audiences to interpret the development of the scene. Example from Kaki Bakar , when Kakang, his wife and elder son collecting rubber at rubber estate. The tracking shot makes the scene looks nice and audiences can clearly see what are they doing. Other than that, example from Jogho will be the shot where Mamat went to look for Jaafar, they are having their conversation at a farm.

Besides, I also like the portrayal of Men and Woman roles in traditional Malays family. In the film, Man or father been portray as the power holder of family. Every family members need to listen and follow the instruction of the power holder. Woman has been portray as the supporting of the power holder. This is the real situation we can find in the traditional Malays family in the pass. Woman cannot make any decision, voice out their opinion and etc. Everything they need to refer back to father and father knows everything well. Example in Kaki Bakar is when Kakang's daughter asked their mother where are they going to stay and mother answer father knows the best. Furthermore, in Jogho, Mamat wants his son Jusuh to complete his studies at Kelantan shows he knows that education is important towards his son. However, woman not really fully obey the power holder of the family. For instance, in Kaki Bakar, Kakang's wife do not dare to resist until she wants their daughters to let go Kusama. For Jogho, Minah voice out dissatisfied about Mamat when he asked her.

In addition, I like the usage of diegetic and non-diegetic sound usage in the film. The non-diegetic sound such as praying, traditional instrument music and sound effect help to enhance the narrative. Example from Kaki Bakar, Kakang singing outside of his house while the background is voice over of people's praying. Voice over of praying helps to express the sadness of Kakang. Other than that, in Jogho, the background music playing when Lazim and gangs going to bullfight arena and ready to fight helps to make audiences more nervous and looking forward about the bullfighting.

I dislike the violence shown in the film. In both film , we can easily see that there are few violence scene. For instance,in Kaki Bakar, Kakang wants to incendiaries Tuan Kassim's smokehouse because he wants Kakang pay his lost from the carpet. While in Jogho, Isa's son killed Lazim because he won in the bullfight and Lazim's son killed Isa's son as well as Isa to revenge. This shows that traditional Malays used violence to settle their unsatisfied. Where in reality, Malays does not really settle the problem by violence。

In conclusion, authorship plays an important roles in producing a film. It helps to show the personality and signature of the director. In order to let the audience recognize the director, they should have own unique style.

Abang (1981)

Synopsis

Fuad as the eldest brother of Dins' family is returning after he left for a decade ago. Everyone in the family are worrying about his return will bring effects to their lifestyle especially 2 of his younger brother - Faizal and Farid.

Faizal and his wife Mona afraid Fuad will destroy family happiness they are having now with their son - Feroz. Furthermore, his second younger brother and his wife Nazreen worry Fuad will take back all their properties. However , the reasons Fuad coming back is because he knew himself suffer from a serious disease and going to die soon. He hope to come back to his homeland and reunite with his family. Besides, he hope to resolve the problems his siblings facing.

Faizal ask Fuad about the reasons he returned. Fuad have no choice but to tell Faizal the reasons he is coming back. After that , Fuad request to meet Mona personally before Faizal go back. Fuad went to Faizal house to look for Mona. He seek for her forgiveness regarding he leave her decade ago. Fuad even kneel in front of Mona but Mona also unable to forgive him.

Dina, youngest sister of Fuad is a singer at disco. Fuad is trying to persuade Dina to pursue her dream. In addition , he also stop Farid from hurting people after he get to know his action form Nazreen.

Fuad go back to hometown with his mother. He have a good time with peoples in the village and he donates money to do charity such as mosque in his hometown, and blind people. His family member start to feel weird about Fuads' behavior. When they find out the real reason of Fuad come back , Fuad already die.

Film Journal

I like Fuad characteristic in this film. He is very family based people with doing anything also will consider from his family members perspective. He rather to suffer himself instead of trouble his family. This is shown where he hide his disease from his family and left to London to get treatment alone. Although this action seems selfish, but he do not want his family members worry about him until give up their happiness. Fuad has fully shown his masculinity in this film. For example, he try to stop Farid from hurting people once he get to know it from Nazreen. He will consider about his family first before he make any decision.

I dislike some parts of editing such as flashback when Faizal come back during Fuad and Mona conversation going on. It's hard to understand the purpose of inter-cut of the earlier shot in between their conversation. It will make audiences confuse about the earlier shot inserted in between.

Fuad and family practices a lot hybridity. We can see they practicing modern mix traditional lifestyle. They are traditional, where we can see that Fuad family is patriarchy family. Everyone obey to the elder one especially father and the eldest brother. For instance , no one in the family allow to absence the meeting call up by Fuad father. Furthermore, when Farid blaming Fuad after he drunk. Fuad shouted at Farid and said he not qualify to blame him because Fuad is the elder brother. Although Fuad went oversea for 10 years, but he did not forget his root. He go back to his hometown with his mother and best friend Diaman. They play at the waterfall where he went he was a child. Other than that , he also play traditional games with kids from the village.Nevertheless, He went to the mosque to complete his prayer and donate money to mosque as well as blind people.

For modernity, Fuad family is very rich. They are also an open-minded family where Dina allowed to become a singer. Besides , they are educated and believe in knowledge where we can see from their conversation they will add in some English words. Moreover, planning plays an important role too. For instance, Fuad persuade his father not to sell the land as he knows that the land price will increase in the future. In addition, when Dila tell Fuad about her dream is to build long house and gather all the artist to live together. Fuad motivate her to save money and not to waste her money on the car to fulfill her dream.

The biggest example will be both welcome home party at Fuads' home and hometown. Welcome home party hold at Fuads' house represent modernity where the party invited a lot of their business partner. There are multi-races attended the party and alcohol been served in the party. Dila wearing a strapless dress where a traditional Malay female would not do so. On the other hand, welcome party hold at hometown represent traditional. This is shown by whole villager celebrate together to welcome him back to hometown. Everyone is wearing traditional Malay clothes and busy with arranging the party. Traditional performance such as traditional Malay dance perform during the party going on.

In conclusion, there are quite a few forms of hybridity we can found from this movie such as Experiences or influences dependent hybrids, cultural hybridity, and global transculturalism. All the forms of hybridity above can be found from Fuad and his family. Peoples keep on changing their identity without noticing it. Peoples easily been influence by their living environment. Even though Fuad practicing hybridity but he did not forget about his origin identity. This is shown where he come back to his homeland to reunite with his family after 10 years and choose to go back to his hometown to end his life journey. This prove that although how a people practices modernism , they won't forget their tradition and real identity.

Selubung

Synopsis

Mastura and E.J known each other since they are kids. Both of them further their studies at Perth , Australia. However , E.J choose to quit her last year of studies and give up her scholarship. This is because she wants to marry with a religious extremist - Brother Musa as his second wife after Hani. Although School and Mastura strongly oppose her decision but she insisted on her decision.

After Mastura back in Malaysia , she decided to join RESCAID Malaysia as a voluntary. Most of her University friends had joined voluntary work. Even though She have a full time job but she also do voluntary work at RESCAID whenever she have free time. Two of her best friend Halim and Wn Eng had been to Palestine to help the refugees.

Mastura meet with her working company - TCT managing director- Kamal and they started a relationship. E.J come back to Malaysia after the incident of her and Brother Musa child been killed by Hani accidentally. She wish to see Mastura once she backed. However, Mastura refuse to see her even though E.J's mother and friends had advised her to do so. At last , Mastura visit E.J in accompanied with Kamal. Both of them become reconciled.

Halim and Wn Eng died when they are helping in Palestine. Mastura was very sad about it. Kamal helped her to overcome it by accompany beside her. However , Mastura had found out Kamal have a wife. She felt cheated and decided to break up with him. Kamal make up his mind to propose to Mastura and he successes.

RESCAID London was bombed. People who bombed REDCAID London sent a threaten letter to RESCAID Malaysia and warn them to make an announcement about stop their campaign in London or else they will suffer the same with RESCAID London. Dr. Sardar and RESCAID team ignore the threaten letter. People who sent the threaten letter bombed RESCAID Malaysia and hurt Mastura.

RESCAID Malaysia held a concert to collect donation and it held successfully. Mastura regain consciousness after all her friends pray for her and butterflies come to her room. Regarding to Mastura's grandfather , butterflies significant to good luck which means butterflies bring good luck to her to make her awake. Mastura recovered and rejoin RESCAID Malaysia.

Film Journal

I like the storyline of the film that emphasize on female empowerment. Women always been portray as weaker party, not educated, and follow man's choices, decisions and instructions in old films. However, in this film women had been portray as a strong party that can lead a community, highly educated, independent and make their own choices.

E.J had been focused in the beginning of the film. She is a sincere Islamic woman who believed and dependent towards religious extremist - Brother Musa. She even quit her studies as well as give up her scholarship just to marry with Brother Musa and become his second wife. However, she choose to leave Brother Musa after the incident of her child killed by Hani. She choose to start her new life with joining RESCAID Malaysia team to help those who need helps. Besides, she also become independent and more happy with her new life.

Mastura is a independent and highly educated woman since she was in University. She knows clearly what she really wants and implement it. She had been portray as talented and ability woman in this film. We can see it where she is able to balance in between her actual job and voluntary work in RESCAID. She is success in both side. Although she have Kamal as her boyfriend but she did not give up her job and fully dependent on Kamal. Moreover, she tend to break up with Kamal when she find out Kamal already have wife.

In addtion, we can also see woman empowerment from Doctor Sardar. She is the leader of RESCAID Malaysia. She is the decisions maker of the whole organization.

I dislike the flashback parallel editing used in this film. Parallel editing is use to tell a story or narrative. It is to show what is happening at the same time or flashback of something. For example , flashback scene of E.J back to Malaysia and wanted to meet with Mastura . Audiences haven't really get the meaning or understand the scene, it already cut to another new scene. The changes of scene quite often and obvious in that part. It shows the current situations of E.J waiting for Mastura's visit and Mastura rejected. Furthermore, the flashback scene of what had happened among E.J and Mastura that caused the conflict in between also one of the parallel scene. It takes longer time for the audiences to digest the message of the scenes due to it is very confuse and they need to think and link everything together by themselves.

Other than that, this film uses silhouette lighting in few scenes such as soldiers holding gun shooting scene, a soldier and a kid behind a white cloth scene and etc. Few of this scenes obviously are using silhouette lighting. Silhouette lighting is use to make the outline of the object or people to become more outstanding. Besides, "Selubung" have few voice over in few scenes. For instance, the scene where person in charge of university trying to persuade E.J not to stop her studies and marry with Brother Musa as well as letter from Halim to Mastura to inform her about his life and feeling in Palestine. Furthermore, parallel editing used frequently in this film no matter flashback scene or different situations at same time. Example of flashback scene is when E.J and Mastura think of the died of E.J's child.

The scene of Palestine war such as bombing , gun shooting by soldiers outside while Halim and Wn Ng trying hard to rescue people who injured. In addition, the scene of Mastura lying in hospital with accompanied of Kamal and at the same time RESCAID is having a welcome concert for kids from Palestine. Both of this scene can be consider as parallel editing for different situation at the same time.

Two main female actress in "Selubung" have different behavior. Mastura is a modern , self-driven and independent woman. She wear progressive and modern costumes. She practices western culture a lot where we can see it obviously in her costumes and movement. Although she is very modernist , but she also practicing her own religious - Islam. Where we can see it through she wear baju kurung and tudung when she meet with her grandfather. She also practices monogamy where she cannot accept Kamal when she found out he have a wife.

Whereas, E.J is a traditional woman that is extreme to her religious. She believe everything said by the religious extremist - Brother Musa. She is a simple and conservative woman where we can find out from her clothing. She wear baju kurung and tudung all the time. However, she can accept a husband with more than one wife. It shows in she willing to marry with Brother Musa although she knows he already have a wife- Hani.

In conclusion, as time goes by female is no longer weaker party in society nowadays. "Selubung" have portray that female also can become independent without male. The story line is very outstanding compare to old films that always portray about man's power. Female can be combination of traditional and modernization . It can be consider as a good film at that time it produced due to the technologies and technique are not advance compare to now.

Fong Mei Ling 0902004