Astro pays a movie tribute to the celebrated filmmaker this month as P. Ramlee The Musical returns to the stage. SHUIB TAIB lists the movies to be screened over the Prima channel.

ASTRO Prima will be screening six movies which were featured, directed or produced by the late movie genius Tan Sri P. Ramlee in conjunction with Bulan Seniman P. Ramlee @ Prima this month.

“Astro Prima is home to P. Ramlee movies. Since our re-branding exercise, we have been playing his movies, which have helped increase our channel share of viewers.

To commemorate his death anniversary, Prima will have special programmes celebrating his life and achievements. In this way, we also want to encourage Malaysians to emulate him, especially the younger generation,” said Astro Prima channel manager Khairul Anwar Salleh.

P. Ramlee’s directorial debut, Penarek Becha (The Trishaw Man) will be screened on May 26. This will be followed by Nujum Pak Belalang (The Fortune Teller) the next day. In 1960, this movie won Best Comedy Film at the 7th Asia Pacific Film Festival in Tokyo.
On May 28, Anakku Sazali (My Son Sazali) will be aired. This was the film that impressed judges at the 4th Asia Pacific Film Festival in 1957. This time, it was his acting where he took on the roles of both father and son, that won him the Best Male Actor award.

Bujang Lapok (Dowdy Bachelors) screens next on May 29. It was the first comedy that Ramlee directed. It also starred Datuk Aziz Sattar and S. Shamsudin.

Ibu Mertuaku (My Mother-In-Law) will show on May 30. Ramlee once again wowed judges at the 10th Asia Pacific Film Festival in 1963 in this film for which he won the Most Versatile Talent for his portrayal as the cheated

son-in-law.

The P. Ramlee month ends with the last movie he appeared in, Laksamana Do Re Mi on May 30. All movies air at 10am.

A two-part documentary, P. Ramlee Di Persada Global will also be aired on May 28 and 29 at 9pm.

“The documentary looks at how his works have captured our hearts, and how they have become subjects for study at universities in Hawaii, Indonesia and Russia,” said Khairul.

Meanwhile, P. Ramlee The Musical which recently played at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore to a full house, will continue its run at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur from May 28-June 14.

In line with this, Astro Prima has been promoting the musical every day.

“This is in keeping with our philosophy to support the local performing arts,” said Khairul.

The play, to be produced by Enfiniti Productions, will feature Musly Ramlee in the lead role. Musly replaces Sean Ghazi.

“It is through collaborations between the Government, arts groups and the private sector that the arts industry in this country will develop. This partnership with Prima is also helpful in view of TV’s bigger audience,” said Enfiniti Productions founder Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, who added that 40 per cent of the tickets have already been snapped up.

Astro Prima will be holding a special ticket give-away contest through various media besides over its channel — online through murai.com, radio via Sinar FM, TV via Astro Awani, in print via Kenali Astro and roadshows via Gempak Selebriti.